Healthier Processed Foods

It’s been exactly one month today since I broke my foot, and I thought my progress would be better. Sure, I’m par with what my podiatrist told me to expect, but I figured, “I’m young, healthy and a supplement user; I will heal faster than he thinks. Really, what does he know?”

Well, reality has hit, and so has my reliance on processed, easy-to-prepare meals. Chopping vegetables and making vegetable stock is so not fun for a girl on crutches. Like an answer to my prayers, Prevention released “The 49 Best Ready-to-Eat Foods,” and by best they mean healthy. (Why they couldn’t make it to 50 is beyond me.)

They noted eating whole, unprocessed food is the best, but realize that sometimes it’s unrealistic and applaud many companies who have created easy, fast, healthy (and even tasty) meals. They asked five nutritional experts for their favorite healthy packaged foods without trans fats, refined grains, high sodium levels, hidden sugar or unpronounceable ingredients. Products with antioxidants, minerals, whole grains and healthy fats were preferred. The nutritionists gave 100 suggestions, and Prevention staffers conducted a four-hour taste test to narrow it down to 49 (talk about a dream day at work).

Many on the list are staples in the natural product store aisles, such as Smart Balance, Earthbound Farms, Nasoya, Country Choice Organic,  Annie Chun's, Kettle Cuisine, Santa Cruz Organic, Beanitos, Justin’s, Spectrum and Honest Tea. Some big-name companies made the list too, like Campbell’s, Uncle Bens and Healthy Choice. Each product comes with a description and justification for it being on the list. They also provide nutrition information. Products are broken down in “grocery aisle” sections such as dairy products, breads, cereals and frozen foods.

This list is a goldmine to me right now, and now I have a better idea of what to grab at the store on my next trip. My only qualm is that each product is listed on its own page, so I have to click through to see the next one. I would love it if the list came in an easy, printable version so I could take it with me.