Aug 25, 2009 6:08 pm US/Central
Which 'Healthy' Packaged Foods Are The Healthiest?
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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"There are 67,000 products on store shelves which create a lot of confusion and the market is very savvy, so it's hard to know what's really healthy," said Erin Hobday, Nutrition and Diet Editor for Self Magazine. (File)
AP
A trip to the grocery store can be dizzying. With thousands of pre-packaged products claiming to be healthy, it's easy to end up with a cart full of food that contains empty calories and poor nutrition, CBS station WCBS-TV reported.
Self Magazine put 245 packaged products to the test, from whole grains and staple items to frozen foods, snacks, even cheese and bacon. The publication looked at nutritional content and had more than 100 women taste test them.
"There are 67,000 products on store shelves which create a lot of confusion and the market is very savvy, so it's hard to know what's really healthy," said Erin Hobday, Nutrition and Diet Editor for Self Magazine.
"We really looked to maximize the benefits of the food such as nutrients like calcium, vitamin C, fiber, and then we looked to minimize some of the negatives like sugar, saturated fat," said Hobday.
There were 54 products testers just couldn't get enough of, WCBS-TV reported.
"One of my favorites is the kettle brand baked potato chips," said Hobday.
That snack had 65 percent less fat than other brands, but packed a pile of flavor. Other winners in the snack category: Snyder's multigrain pretzel sticks, Kashi's Dark Chocolate Coconut Granola Bar, and believe it or not, Sour Patch Watermelon Candy.
"One of the reasons we like it is because you get a nice big serving – 21 pieces," said Hobday.
Pepperidge Farm's vitality bread was a favorite great grain. Smucker's natural creamy peanut butter won as a stellar staple, and Van's 97 percent fat-free waffles was picked as a frozen favorite.
"Going to the grocery store is the foundation for your whole diet," said Hobday. "So if you stockpile your kitchen with these foods you know there is always going to be something healthy for you to eat."
But just because these products are good for you, doesn't mean you can devour the whole bag or box. Nutrition experts say you must still follow the daily serving size to reap the benefits.
To see the entire list from Self Magazine, click here.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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