As a busy mom to 3 kids I don’t always have the time to cook a meal. If I were rich I would hire a chef, but a girl can keep dreaming right? In the mean time I just try to feed my kids the healthiest choices I can find on the market. Sometimes it’s packaged and sometimes it’s not. The problem with packaged foods is that they seem to typically have a high sodium content.
Parents magazine today revealed its picks for the “25 Best Packaged Foods of 2014.” After scouring the supermarkets for new, family-friendly items that contain reasonable levels of fat and sodium and contain no artificial colors or flavors, the Parents team asked more than 75 kids and parents to partake in a taste test and chose their favorites. The full list of winners — divided by Kitchen Staples, Meals & Sides in Minutes, Better-for-the-Family Desserts, and Quick Snacks — appears in the March 2014 issue of Parents magazine and online at www.parents.com/packaged-foods.
“Families are so busy that it’s more important than ever to ensure that our kids eat quality, healthy foods at home and on-the-go,” said Dana Points, Editor-in-Chief, Parents magazine. “We were impressed by the variety of packaged-food options at the supermarket that tasted great and had a good nutritional profile.”
Divided by category, the 25 Best Packaged Foods of 2014 according to Parents magazine are:
KITCHEN STAPLES
Mrs. Dash Salt-Free, All Natural Taco Seasoning Mix
Ortega Fiesta Flats
Smucker’s Natural Concord Grape Fruit Spread
Marzetti Simply Dressed & Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
Jif Whips Creamy Peanut Butter
MEALS & SIDES IN MINUTES
Birds Eye Recipe Ready Grilling Blend
Dole Chopped Asian Blend Salad
Lisa’s Organics Sweet Peas in Parmesan Herb Broth
Ore-Idea Simply Olive Oil & Sea Salt Homestyle Wedges
Earth’s Best Organic Mini Pancakes (Homestyle flavor)
Tyson Fun Nuggets
Applegate Naturals Uncured Reduced-Sodium Sunday Bacon
BETTER-FOR-THE-FAMILY DESSERTS
Roba Dolce Ocean Spray Honey Fig Gelato
Newtons Fruit Thins (Cherry Vanilla)
Ruby’s Rockets (Rock-It Red flavor)
Keebler Simply Made Butter Cookies
QUICK SNACKS
Amy’s Bean & Cheese Burrito Snacks
Dannon Oikos Yogurt Dips (Cucumber Dill)
Pearls Olives to Go!
Simply Balanced Sweet Corn Freeze-Dried Vegetables
Wholly Salsa Avocado, Black Bean & Roasted Corn Dip
Chobani Champions Flyin’ Dragon Fruit Yogurt Tubes
Cascadian Farm Crunchy Oats & Honey Granola Bars
Rudi’s Organic Bakery Multigrain Organic Soft Pretzels
The Laughing Cow Light White Cheddar Flavor
For more information about Parents, visit www.parents.com
