Navigating the grocery store aisles can be challenging with all the choices available. Whether you’re a foodie or just need to stick to a budget, your selections can be affected by time constraints and finances. Taking this into account, we’ve put together our picks for Health’s 2023 Food Awards to make your shopping experience easier. Our aim was to find easily accessible and healthy options that won’t break the bank, available at supermarkets or through subscriptions, vending machines, or delivery services.
Many products flaunt the ‘organic’ label, but registered dietitian Lauren Manaker suggests it’s not always necessary. She points out that while there might be minor differences between organic and conventionally grown foods—some people finding organic tastier—it’s better to eat non-organic produce and grains than none. Just make sure you wash them well to get rid of any pesticide residues.
RD Allie Echeverria compares consuming sugar to budgeting money. She guides her clients to enjoy their sugar “spending” wisely while following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend no more than 10% of your total daily calories from added sugar. For instance, if you eat 2,400 calories a day, keep added sugars to 240 calories or less.
To curate this list, we collaborated with Health’s editorial team and consulted with nutritionists. Their picks are based on personal favorites regularly stocked in their kitchens. We also conducted rigorous research, tested products, and fact-checked details, examining over 100 items to select 39 winners that are versatile and affordable.
Here’s what we found for Health’s 2023 Food Awards:
Lauren Manaker loves the ease of cereals, adding more whole grains and milk to her diet. She’s currently into Seven Sundays Oat Protein Cereal, even with its 7 grams of added sugar—it offers 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, which helps her feel full longer. Paired with 2% milk, it’s an extra protein boost. Another favorite is Arrowhead Mills Puffed Kamut Cereal, made only from organic kamut, a whole grain that’s energizing, low-fat, and has no added salt or sugar. She describes it as a great morning starter.
Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Flourless Flake Cereal pairs well with any type of milk and retains its crunch—it packs 6 grams of fiber, 8 grams of protein, plus added vitamins and minerals, making it a hearty breakfast option. Famous Cheerios in its original flavor also stand out, offering only 1 gram of added sugar per serving, along with 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, plus it’s packed with important nutrients like vitamins D and B9, potassium, iron, and calcium. Manaker enjoys mixing it with blueberries and flaxseeds, adding milk for a quick energy boost.
Cheryl S. Grant, Health’s editorial director, special projects, makes her granola but also buys Cascadian Farm Organic Blueberry Vanilla Granola for its crunch and nutritional benefits—5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving. Editorial director Jordan Davidson loves Struesli Original granola, created by Adrienne Lufkin, a chef with an autoimmune disease. It’s free of grains and sweeteners but still delicious—blended with nuts and seeds, and baked with virgin coconut oil.
Instant oatmeal sometimes gets a bad reputation for being high in sugar and processing, but it can be as nutritious as regular or steel-cut oats. Manaker appreciates Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oatmeal Pineapple Coconut, which gives her a taste of the tropics and a bit of joy amid a chaotic day. Colleen Murphy, another editor, enjoys Thrive Market’s Organic Overnight Oats in Carrot Cake Delight, sweetened with dates, not sugar, with 9 grams of fiber—making it a comforting winter breakfast.
Eggs are another favorite for high-quality protein. Manaker loves pre-peeled hard-boiled eggs from Eggland’s Best, which have less saturated fat and more vitamins D and E than regular eggs. Meal prepping can help you make healthier choices. Cascadian Farm’s frozen diced veggies like Mirepoix or vegetable blends with farro and chickpeas are great for whipping up quick meals. Manaker prefers the Southwest Potato Hash with sweet potatoes, black beans, and bell peppers, which cooks in about nine minutes.
For a tasty, quick breakfast, try MingsBings Plant-Based Chorizo, Egg & Cheese Bing. It’s gluten-, nut-, and dairy-free, and just takes about 20-25 minutes to heat from frozen. Grant loves Barilla Whole Grain Thin Spaghetti for its fiber and B vitamins, sticking to it for its flavor and texture. For pasta with more protein and fiber, Echeverria recommends Banza, made from chickpeas.
Siete Chickpea Flour Tortillas offer a grain and gluten-free alternative that pairs well with curries and fajitas—they heat up quickly in a pan. Manaker sticks to Safe Catch tuna for its lower mercury content than standard, offering a ready source of protein without the need to cook.
Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips are another popular pick for their crunch and flavor—they’re made with cassava and coconut flour. LesserEvil Popcorn, with just three ingredients, offers a healthy snack option, according to Manaker.
For more snack options, Hippeas Chickpea Tortilla Chips provide plant-based protein and fiber, Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar is a light, tasty puffed snack, while Wonderful Pistachios Sea Salt & Vinegar satisfies those salt-and-vinegar chip cravings but with the benefits of fiber, healthy fats, and complete protein.
If you’re after gluten-free snacks, Blue Diamond Almond Nut-Thins are crunchy and perfect for toppings like cheese or tuna. Kind Soft Baked Squares Peanut Butter Almond Flour Blondie and Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Snack Bars offer more options, both packed with fiber and free from unwanted ingredients.
For cooking, Echeverria’s favorite olive oil is California Olive Ranch, enriching flavors and offering health benefits like reducing inflammation risk. Primal Kitchen Pure Avocado Oil is another healthy choice Manaker likes for its pure taste and ease in recipes.
For sauces, Primal Kitchen’s Unsweetened Ketchup delivers flavor with just one gram of sugar. Non-dairy treats sometimes hit the spot, and Siggi’s Rich and Creamy Skyr in Zesty Lemon offers a tart delight with lots of protein and probiotics.
If you need dairy-free options, Oatly Full-Fat Oatmilk and Silk Soymilk offer nutritious alternatives. Fever-Tree Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade is a refreshing, lower-calorie soda option made without artificial ingredients.
Smoothie Box pre-made organic fruit packs simplify making smoothies, providing a quick, nutritious drink option. Try Società Bona Furtuna’s subscription for unique condiments like wild fennel pesto. For meal subscriptions, EveryPlate and HelloFresh offer versatile kits catering to various dietary needs. For specific dietary plans, ModifyHealth is worth exploring.
For a quick healthy meal on the go, Farmer’s Fridge salads are a tasty solution. And with Thanksgiving near, Diestel Turkey Ranch has organic turkeys to complete your holiday meal plan. Manaker prefers pre-packaged foods too, admitting they save her time amid her busy schedule.
Allie Echeverria focuses on protein and leafy greens, maintaining a balanced approach without excluding any food groups or nutrients.
