Spring is here and many of our favorite brands have launched new items for a limited time. products suitable for the season. If you’re searching for the perfect picnic treat or just excited for the spring sales bloom to come your way, be sure to read the label because many new releases are less than tasty to our taste buds. Health.
After a long winter, the shelves are full and new items have come out of hibernation. This is what to grab and what to let go of in the grocery store according to our own Eat this, not that! Members of the Board of Medical Experts Lisa Young, PhD, RDN author of Finally full, finally slimnutritionist in private practice and adjunct professor of nutrition at NYU and Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN.
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Per 2 tablespoons (30g): 160 calories, 9 g fat, 75 mg sodium, 18 g carbs, 18 g sugar, 2 g protein
It’s no surprise that a creamy cinnamon spread styled after a sweet surgery cereal doesn’t top the lists of our health picks. Made to “deliver the epic flavor of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal with hints of brown sugar and gram flavor,” this spread can be used to top sandwiches, snacks, or for baking.
Made with only brown sugar, canola oil, skim milk, palm oil, cinnamon, soy lecithin, along with natural flavors, this spread has surprisingly little going for it, according to our experts. “This is all sugar and fat,” says Young. “I’d either let it go or stick with a 1-tablespoon serving.”
If you opt for a dessert fix, try a tablespoon spread on apples. Be careful though, a little goes a long way.
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per can: 93 calories, 5.8g carbs, 5g sugar, 5% alcohol
While it’s always best to consume alcohol in moderation when considering health, our experts agree that this Yes Way Rose Spritz Cranberry Lavender drink looks better than most of its competitors.
With a low sugar level for a spritzer and a great combination of flavors, this drink could be managed with a healthy diet if consumed responsibly. Shapiro points to a reminder that the “recommendation is one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.” Any more than that and this drink is no longer a good choice for your health.
For 2 “cups”: 150 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 85 mg sodium, 14 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 3 g protein
While still considered a “gift,” these Skinny Dipped Peanut Butter Cups are great for those looking to get their peanut butter fix, without going overboard, according to Young. The 3 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber help balance macronutrients and it has “less added sugar, total sugar and carbohydrates than competing brands like Reese’s,” Shapiro said.
For many dieters, being too restrictive works against long-term success because they end up eating foods that were “off limits.” With these skinny dipped peanut butter cups, those looking to count calories or make better choices can enjoy some of their favorite “bad” foods without giving up entirely. Don’t eat the whole bag in one sitting, though!
per ¼ cup: 150 calories, 8 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 15 mg sodium, 15 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 5 g protein
If you’re looking for a snack that won’t wreck your diet, Seapoint Farms Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn with Himalayan Pink Salt is a great option! According to our experts, this healthier option High-fiber snack packs for a quick on-the-go option.
Shapiro says a good trick for deciding on a snack is to read the label for the list of ingredients. With just three in Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn, it’s most likely a good bet paired with 5 grams of plant-based protein and fiber to keep you satisfied.
Our vote is “yes!” to these Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn snacks, which are a good option “compared to simple carbohydrate snacks like pretzels and goldfish,” says Shapiro.
for 28 poppers: 130 calories, 6 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 190 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 3 g protein
Whether LesserEvil Sun Poppers Vegan Sour Cream + Onion is actually a lesser evil than your typical snack is up for debate. young man says that vegan gift it has too many unhealthy ingredients and encourages diners to skip it. “I’d pass this up unless you like the taste. It’s fiber-free, contains tapioca starch, and is still considered an ultra-processed food,” he recommends.
Shapiro, however, thinks it’s worth substituting some of the ingredients for standard chips. These Sun Poppers include avocado oil, which she says is a “great inflammatory,” as well as cassava flour, which is a “wonderful source of gluten-free carbohydrates.” Shapiro cautions that while 1 gram of fiber and 3 grams of protein isn’t ideal, it’s “better than nothing for a salty snack.”
for 1 cup: 140 calories, 7 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 210 mg sodium, 14 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 13 g protein
Magic Spoon bills itself as a healthy cereal alternative to sugary brands for adults. Their new Honey Nut Cereal alternative to Cheerios is better than the original, but still not the best choice for breakfast, according to our experts.
Young says the brand may not be suitable for certain populations who are prone to GI upset or who avoid dairy (buttermilk is the first ingredient). Shoppers should also be aware of the synthetic fiber in allulose/monk fruit, which is a main substitute ingredient for sugar in cereal. While the ingredients may be an issue for some, it provides a breakfast with a whopping 13 grams of protein and is lower in fat than traditional cereals.
While the protein ratio may be high, Shapiro’s concern lies in the lack of fiber. “Although high in protein (from milk protein), this cereal would not be my first choice, as it contains virtually no fiber thanks to the tapioca starch,” he said.
for 1 pie: 250 calories, 17 g fat (6 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 390 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 1 g fiber, <1 g sugar, 21 g protein
For those who live on meat, there have been many meatless products released, but not everyone is equal on the health front. For many of these products, the focus is on having a meat-like taste rather than being healthier than meat.
Fresh Brand’s plant-based burgers are a hit and miss with our experts, who have cited the burgers as being high in fat. Although they may be a good alternative for vegans or vegetarians looking to increase their protein intake, Shapiro says there’s little else to support it.
“These patties contain pea protein, which is a good source of protein,” says Shapiro. “However, thanks to the coconut, it contains saturated fat and virtually no fiber.”
For 4 meatballs: 200 calories, 13 g fat (5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 550 mg sodium, 4 g carbs, 1 g fiber, <1 g sugar, 17 g protein
Like the Fresh Brand empanadas, these meatballs can be a good substitute for meatless eaters looking to enjoy something similar without consuming animal products.
Shapiro says the meat-alternative meatballs have a great source of pea protein, which is a good way to get protein outside of meat. With 17 grams of protein per serving, it’s also packed! However, like Fresh Brand’s plant-based burgers, these Italian meatballs contain a large portion of fat, “likely due to the inclusion of sunflower and coconut oil,” so those looking for a solution to your cravings for meat should not make these substitutions part of your regular diet.
for 1 cup: 60 calories, 2.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 140 mg sodium, 8 g carbs, <1 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 1 g protein
For many of us who avoid dairy, almond milk has been a lifesaver. However, it is important to remember that not all milk substitutions are created equal to or healthier than the products they imitate. Fresh Brand’s New Original Almond Milk has too few good things to compete with other almond milk varieties, according to our experts.
Shapiro says that while the brand does a good job of including vitamin D fortification as a way to strengthen bones in non-dairy milks, it’s not a fan of the gums and binders in the product that can cause gastrointestinal upset, as well. such as excessive amount of sugar.
Young believes there are other better brands of almond milk and this version qualifies as a definite “jump”. Since sugar is the second ingredient on the package, it is not a healthy or good alternative to milk.
for 1 cup: 90 calories, 2 g fat (50 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 500 mg sodium, 8 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 10 g protein
This Beyond Meat Jerky Original is not a worthwhile snack, according to our expert Shapiro. With loads of extra sodium (500 mg for just a 90-calorie snack), this Beyond snack substitute isn’t for the faint of heart. of sound mind.
In addition to being saturated with extra sodium, Beyond Meat Jerky Original is highly processed, something you’ll want to avoid in grocery store aisles. While Shapiro mentioned that the main ingredient, mung beans, is actually a great source of plant-based protein (at 10 grams), the sodium and laundry ingredient list on this product isn’t worth it.
While some of these items are the ones to skip, there are a few other products to avoid during your next shopping trip. These Popular Grocery Items Contain Harmful Chemicals in Their Packaging, According to a New Report.
