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Supermarket Shoppers' Healthiest Brands

Posted Fri, Jul 06, 2007, 2:44 pm PDT
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If we all spent as much time reading nutrition labels as experts tell us to, supermarkets would have to start installing more cushy chairs and coffee bars than Barnes & Noble. Which may be what inspired two gods of healthy eating -- Harvard's legendary nutrition guru, Walter Willett, MD, and Mollie Katzen, author of the groundbreaking Moosewood Cookbook -- to name names in their latest book: Eat, Drink, and Weigh Less.

The book lists brands for the foods that make grocery shoppers crazy: either those where there are so many choices (bread, cereal) that you just want to throw in the towel -- especially if your shopping cart is loaded with kids as well as cartons -- or those that sound healthy but often are sugar and calorie extravaganzas (many energy bars, tricked-up yogurts).

In Willett and Katzen's words, either "bring your glasses when shopping for breads, crackers, bars, yogurt, smoothies, and even veggie burgers -- the calorie counts and nutritional profiles of these items can vary wildly." Or bring this handy list of the healthiest brands, which does the legwork for you. Although they name more brands in the book, we've picked out the most widely available. If it's on this list, consider it blessed.

BREAD
Pepperidge Farm sliced bread
    100% Whole Wheat Thin Sliced
    Carb-Style Soft 100% Whole Wheat
    7 Grains Lifeworks Wheat
    7 Grains Natural Whole Grain

Country Hearth Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat sliced bread
Thomas's English muffins
    Hearty Grain 100% Whole Wheat
    Hearty Grain 12 Grain

Roman Meal Multi-Grain hamburger buns

CEREAL
Wheaties
Whole-Grain Total
Kashi GoLean
Old-Fashioned Quaker Oats
Wheatena

CRACKERS
Wheat Thins Multi-Grain
Triscuit Thin Crisps

YOGURT
Dannon Light 'n Fit (regular, Carb Control, and Creamy)
Stonyfield Farm MOOve Over Sugar
Yoplait Light

SMOOTHIES
Stonyfield Farm Light Smoothie
Yoplait Smoothie Light
Dannon Light 'n Fit Smoothie

PROTEIN BARS
Pria Complete Nutrition bars and CarbSelect bars
Luna bars
Kashi GoLean Crunchy bar and Roll bar

VEGGIE BURGERS
Boca
    Original
    All-American Flame Grilled
    Grilled Vegetable
    Roasted Onion
    Roasted Garlic

Gardenburger
    Original
    Sun-Dried Tomato-Basil
    Veggie Medley
    Black Bean

Morningstar Farms Better 'n Burgers

Not only will this list streamline your grocery time, but shopping from it could also help you blow off a few birthdays. Because eating a diverse diet based around foods like these -- low in calories and high in nutrients -- can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

Average (53 Ratings): 3 out of 5 stars

27 Comments

  • 1. Posted by Amanda on Sun, Jul 08, 2007, 5:07 pm PDT

    Barbaras cereals and snack bars are also very healthy and yummy too!

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  • 2. Posted by Andre I on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 2:02 pm PDT

    Low calorie, high fiber tortillas/wraps instead of bread.

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  • 3. Posted by Sarah L on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

    It would be helpful to see what is in these brands that makes them the most healthful. Or what is in the other brands that we should stay away from. I do not often buy big-store brands, like Pepperidge Farm or Yoplait, but I read labels very closely.

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  • 4. Posted by Judi B on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 3:12 pm PDT

    i love Sara Lee De-Light-Full bread, 45 cal per slice and 2.5 grams of protein, comes in white, wheat, and honey wheat, and the texture and flavor are amazing, doesn't seem lo-cal at all!

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  • 5. Posted by modulerock on Fri, Jul 13, 2007, 8:24 am PDT

    It's all in the "Label Reading".

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  • 6. Posted by Brian T on Fri, Jul 13, 2007, 9:14 am PDT

    Don't forget Fiber One. This is an excellent Hi-Fiber Cereal.

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  • 7. Posted by winesnob77 on Fri, Jul 13, 2007, 10:07 am PDT

    Funny, I've read the labels on half of these products and I won't eat them. Quite a few of these products contain HFCS or artificial sweeteners. I try really hard not to put those or any trans fats in my body! If you are looking for a healthy bread, try Miltons or Alvarado St. Bakery. I've found both at major grocery stores and at out local bread outlet. Neither sweeten with HFCS and they contain lots of fiber.

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  • 8. Posted by nydiva72 on Fri, Jul 13, 2007, 10:09 am PDT

    LOVE Luna Bars! Especially Lemon Zest & Smores. Gotta try them.

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  • 9. Posted by don d on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 1:51 pm PDT

    buckwheat rules!

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  • 10. Posted by bobo on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:07 pm PDT

    i am on a diet of live grasshopper, dandelions and poke salat greens

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  • 11. Posted by C J on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:08 pm PDT

    There are many great things available at the supermarket, but this list isn't it. Most of the national brands of bread and cereals contain corn syrup, which raises cortisol levels and makes Americans fat. Bon appetite.

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  • 12. Posted by dsdarling@prodigy.net on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:11 pm PDT

    im not jewish but anything kosher is a healthy alternative.

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  • 13. Posted by goldcar356 on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:11 pm PDT

    i really like the Doritos 100 Calorie Ranch flavor chips. they come in 1 serving packets

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  • 14. Posted by Aloha on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:27 pm PDT

    Before eating any of that stuff, google "advanced glycated endproducts" or "advanced glycation end products."

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  • 15. Posted by luther m on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:28 pm PDT

    how did any one live without all the health nuts of today telling us what we should eat??EVERY ONE ON MY SIDEOF THE FAMILY EAT WHAT THEY WANTED,i am 73 and in good health . to hell with all you health nuts .i eat what i want when i want.

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  • 16. Posted by Ms. Valerie on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:30 pm PDT

    here's some info i found from a website called sparkpeople.com regarding HFCS: High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a common ingredient in soda, fruit drinks, cookies, jams, and snack foods, is made by refining cornstarch through an enzymatic process. HFCS became popular as a sweetener in the 1980's when improvements in its manufacturing made it cheaper than cane or beet sugar. While there are potential health consequences to the over-consumption of any type of sweetener, HFCS carries additional risks because of its high fructose content and the way it is metabolized in the body. Here are some: While the consumption of table sugar triggers the secretion of insulin and leptin, which signal your body that you are full, HFCS does not. Consumption of foods containing HFCS could contribute to increased caloric intake and weight gain. Consumption of HFCS can elevate triglyceride levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease. HFCS can upset the magnesium, copper, chromium, and zinc levels in the body, which could lead to deficiency diseases like bone loss. In 2001, the average person consumed 62.6 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup. In the U.S., the average person consumes more HFCS than sugar. It sounds about as deadly, long-term, as the DEG (diethylene glycol) that they're finding in toothpaste these days. So absolutely, read ALL labels!! Granted, you can't avoid some things altogether, but you can limit amounts substantially.

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  • 17. Posted by bully_of_the_boardz on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:31 pm PDT

    The healthiest foods I know of are Oreo (double stuff) and nathans all beef hotdogs. Also love Spam ( turkey)

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  • 18. Posted by Carol R on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:36 pm PDT

    be careful of the tortilla wraps as they are high in sodium.

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  • 19. Posted by cooks26 on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 2:41 pm PDT

    Just eat less and watch the fat intake you should be ok. 300 calories per meal and 4 to 5 meals a day. Lots of fruits and veggies. O yea drink the water and drop the soda.

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  • 20. Posted by tess on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 3:05 pm PDT

    One of the most important things anyone can do for themselves is to read and learn about the ingredients in products they consume. Taking the word of an 'expert' does only one thing, it gives them control over what we consume or don't. Take a look at artificial trans fats, they said it was ok, and now it's not. I've eliminated artificially, manufactured ingredients from my food supply as well as highfructosecornsyrup, monosodium glutamate, Disodium inosinate, etc. I've regained energy and have lost 40 pounds. I enjoy the foods I eat, they taste fresher and with a more intense flavor than their counterparts.

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  • 21. Posted by catdancer on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, 9:28 pm PDT

    Has anyone tried Dr. Neal Barnard's vegen diet for treating diabetes? Has it worked for anyone?

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  • 22. Posted by britishtexanrose on Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 1:06 pm PDT

    As a nutritionist I can tell you that most of these are processed foods with little actual nutritional value but many additives and sugars. That doesn't mean you should not eat them, it just means that they should have a very limited place within a healthy diet based on fruit, vegetables, whole grains (such as brown rice or popcorn without butter) and low fat meats. Eat yoghurt as a treat - it isn't a health food and there is no scientific evidence that the "helpful bacteria" actually improves your digestive system by more than 0.005% over a normal yoghurt! The protein bars should only be required by those who have difficulties in processing protein such as gastric bypass patients or professional athletes that need an excessive amount of protein in their training diets. They are a good option as far as PROCESSED FOODS but that doesn't make them a substitute for a fresh, balanced diet. But everyone should have a treat occasionally!

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  • 23. Posted by lmarsh84 on Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 1:21 pm PDT

    There's nothing wrong with anything mentioned just as long as it's all in MODERATION!!

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  • 24. Posted by Shawn S on Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 1:53 pm PDT

    wow there is a lot to pick from sounds great!

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  • 25. Posted by ANGEL on Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 1:54 pm PDT

    Special cereal rae not too bad either..........

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  • 26. Posted by vikki on Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 2:04 pm PDT

    Milton's bread...there are two kinds..I buy the one that has 5 grams of fiber and it tastes great.

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  • 27. Posted by Joel B on Wed, Jul 18, 2007, 2:55 pm PDT

    There are many restaurant chains which specialize in giving you huge meals, whether they be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In most cases, it seems, they do not have specific nutrition info posted on their websites or at their restaurants. Those who want to eat healthy should be very wary of eating at such restaurants.

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