Top 7 Healthiest Packaged Foods

Coming up with meals made from garden-fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to health and nutrition.  No packaged food could ever hope to equal fresh and raw ingredients in terms of nutrition.  But in an imperfect world where various duties compete for our attention, we cannot but shortcut our cooking by making use of canned and pre-cooked items.  

The good news is that not all that comes in a package are bad.  The following grocery items are declared the healthiest according to doctors, nutritionists and dietitians.  Stock up on these items to shorten your cooking time without shortening your life.

Greek Yogurts

These yogurts from Greece have a lot more to offer than just their creamier and thicker consistency.  These delectable dairy dessert products pack high amounts of protein, calcium and friendly lactobacilli.

1.  Healthier Eggs

Healthier are the eggs which are fed with vitamin and mineral-fortified feeds devoid of animal products.  Compared to regular eggs, these eggs are lower in fat and cholesterol thus reducing the risks of cardiovascular problems.  They are also 4 times higher in Vitamin D and 3 times higher in omega-3 fatty acids which further build up the defense against heart problems.

2.  Fat-free, Fortified Milk

If you are not particularly fond of fish, you may not be getting enough omega-3 fatty acids.  A good way to meet that deficiency is to drink omega-3 fatty acid-fortified milk which, by the way, also has more antioxidants in the form of Vitamin E as well as proteins and calcium.

3.  Single-serving Cheddar Cheese

You’ll be more able to control portions with single slices of cheese compared to big boxes.  Choose Cheddar cheese because it is one of the higher-calcium cheeses around.  Three slices make one serving  which gives you the same calcium in a small container of yogurt.

4.  Tofu

Making tofu is so labor-intensive you would naturally want to buy ready-made ones instead.  Tofu is a powerhouse of protein and the very protective antioxidants called isoflavones.  Tofu subs well for meat in your stir-fries and noodles.

5.  Packaged Lettuce

Quickly tossing a garden salad made from pre-washed packaged lettuce is a lot better than ordering high-cal meals from drive-thrus and restaurants.   Try lettuce packs of different varieties to avail of different antioxidants.

6.  Packaged Bean Medley

Beans top the list of antioxidant-rich foods.  To skip many hours of soaking and boiling beans, look for pre-cooked beans which come in 5 or 6 varieties for maximum antioxidant content.  Those which come in sachet are microwave-easy and eliminates the need for can openers.

7.  Whole Wheat Bread

The easiest way to load up on whole grains is to always use wheat bread.  Make sure the package says “whole wheat bread.”  Nowadays there are brands which are almost as soft as white bread and pack less than a gram of sugar per serving.