Healthiest Packaged Foods

If you are anything like me, you resort to pre-packaged foods from time to time. Between work, school, workouts, house shopping, and wedding planning, I do not always have time to make healthy meals and snacks from scratch. 

The following is a list of the healthiest packaged foods to help you make smarter eating decisions when you're on the go! I am not saying you should resort to these packaged foods on a regular basis by any means. You should still consume them sparingly. However, when you truly need a quick meal or snack these can keep you on track.

There is a longer, more extensive list of www.womenshealthmag.com. I based my list on items that can be easily found in grocery stores in the St. Louis area. 

* Pretzel M&M's- These have become my favorite study snack since I tend to crave sweets. A fourth cup contains only 180 calories, 6g fat, 28g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g protein, 20g sugar, 190mg sodium.

 * Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Dreamy Cluster Candy- This is another great snack if you are craving sweets. A whole pouch has only 120 calories, 6g fat, 20g carbs, 115mg sodium, 1g protein, 3g fiber, 9g sugar. 

 * Weight Watchers Chocolate Brownies- Sometimes you just crave a brownie. Now you do not have to feel as guilty when you indulge in one! Each of these has 130 calories, 3.5g fat, 25g carbs, 105mg sodium, 4g fiber, 1g protein, 14g sugar. 

* Blue Bunny Champ! Mini Swirls Vanilla Ice Cream Cones- Because sometimes you just need ice cream! Each cone contains 140 calories, 8g fat, 16g carbs, 50mg sodium, 1g fiber, 2g protein, 11g sugar. 

* Jell-O Temptations French Silk Pie- A lighter version of this dreamy treat! Each cup has 140 calories, 5g fat, 23g carbs, 180mg sodium, 1g fiber, 3g protein, 17g sugar. 

* Luna Chocolate Dipped Coconut Bar- These are great to grab for a quick breakfast when you are on the go. Pair it with an apple and a serving of skim milk and you'll be fueled until lunch! Each bar has 190 calories, 9g fat, 25g carbs, 210mg sodium, 9g protein, 3g fiber, 11g sugar.

* Snyder's of Hanover Organic Whole-Wheat & Oat Pretzel Sticks- These are great on their own or with a little bit of peanut butter and some fresh fruit. It makes a great snack to keep at your desk! Each serving (9 pretzels) contains 110 calories, 1.5g fat, 21g carbs, 100mg sodium, 3g fiber, 4g protein, 3g sugar. 

* Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips- I absolutely love hummus...all kinds of hummus. Pita chips are great for dipping in hummus as a snack, or pair with a small salad for a quick and healthy lunch! One serving (10 chips) has 130 calories, 5g fat, 19g carbs, 270mg sodium, 1g fiber, 3g protein, 1g sugar. 

* Kettle Brand Sweet Onion Potato Chips- Every once in awhile I get a craving for chips but I try to stay away because I do not want to ruin my diet. However, 13 of these salty, crunchy chips contains only 150 calories, 9g fat, 16g carbs, 125mg sodium, 1g fiber, 2g protein, and 1g of sugar, so you do not have to feel guilty about indulging every once in awhile. 

* Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Simply Cheddar Cracker Chips- Cheesy chips are the best unless you're trying to lose weight! These cracker chips only contain 130 calories, 3.5g fat, 24g carbs, 250mg sodium, 2g fiber, 2g protein, and 4g sugar for 27 chips!

* Ocean Spray Sparkling Pomegranate Blueberry Beverage- This is a lightly carbonated beverage that can curb your craving for soda. What makes it different? It is sweetened with natural fruit juices instead of added sugar! Each can contains 90 calories, 0g fat, 22g carbs, 35mg sodium, 0g fiber, 0g protein, 22g sugar. 

* Starkist Tuna Salad Ready Albacore- Mix this with some light mayo and chopped celery for a sandwich or wrap, or add this to your salad for a boost of protein. Either way, this tuna is great for lunch on the go weighing in at only 90 calories, 2.5g fat, 6g carbs, 460mg sodium, 1g fiber, 11g protein, and 2g sugar per pouch. 

* Hormel Always Tender Teriyaki Flavored Pork Loin- This is great for a quick and healthy family dinner. In addition, it is super easy to cook in the crock pot while you're at work, school, or doing housework. Pair with some steamed sugar snap peas and brown rice for a healthy Asian inspired meal. Each 4oz serving contains only 40 calories, 5g fat, 4g carbs, 360mg sodium, 0g fiber, 21g protein, 2g sugar. 

* Sea Pak Salmon Burgers- These are so refreshing to grill up with some grilled veggies on a warm day! Each patty contains 110 calories, 3g fat, 1g carbs, 380mg sodium, 0g fiber, 18g protein, 0g sugar. These are great in a low-sugar teriyaki glaze and topped with a slice of grilled pineapple. To keep calories low, we usually eat these on sandwich thins instead of buns.

* Weight Watchers Light Natural Smoked Mozzarella String Cheese- These are great on the go paired with a bottle of water and some fresh fruit. Each cheese stick contains 50 calories, 2.5g fat, 0g carbs, 144mg sodium, 0g fiber, 6g protein, 0g sugar. 

* Mission White Corn Tortillas- I absolutely love Mexican food! Between Mexican dishes, like fajitas, enchiladas, tortilla soup, burritos, and cinnamon chips with fruit salsa, and wraps for both lunch and breakfast, we go through a lot of tortillas. These only have 120 calories, 2g fat, 24g carbs, 10mg sodium, 2g fiber, 3g protein, 0g sugar each!

* Arnold Fill 'Ems Sandwich Thins- I love these! I use them to make deli sandwiches or hot dogs for lunch. These are also great for sloppy Joe's with ground turkey or turkey meatball subs for a quick and healthy dinner. Each sandwich thin contains 100 calories, 1g fat, 21g carbs, 170mg sodium, 5g fiber, 5g protein, 2g sugar. 

* Morning Star Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuits- These are great to grab on your way out the door for class or to toss to the kids and the hubby as they run out the door. Each biscuit has 270 calories, 8g fat, 40g carbs, 630mg sodium, 1g fiber, 9g protein, 5g sugar. 

* Bird's Eye Voila Garlic Chicken Pasta- This makes a great dinner on a night when I get off work later or have class. All you have to do is toss this into a skillet and its ready to eat in about 10 minutes. It is tasty and loaded with veggies. Pair it with a small salad and you have a great meal! Each serving contains 240 calories, 8g fat, 29g carbs, 540mg sodium, 3g fiber, 11g protein, 6g sugar. 

* Healthy Choice 100% Natural Entrees Asian Pot Stickers- Curb your craving for Chinese food with this meal that is ready in the blink of an eye. Each entree contains 340 calories, 4.5g fat, 66g carbs, 530mg sodium, 4g fiber, 8g protein, 14g sugar.

* Lean Cuisine Garden Vegetable Dip with Pita Bread- This makes a great lunch that only contains 190 calories, 5g fat, 29g carbs, 440mg sodium, 2g fiber, 6g protein, and 4g sugar. 

* Annie's Organic Whole Wheat Shells and White Cheddar- My younger sister eats this all the time. It really does hit the spot when you are craving that warm and cheesy comfort food dish. Each serving (1 cup prepared with low-fat milk) contains 270 calories, 47g carbs, 580mg sodium, 2g fiber, 11g protein, 9g sugar. 

* Campbell's Select Harvest Healthy Request Chicken and Whole Grain Pasta Soup- Nothing hits the spot better on a cold, rainy day then soup and salad or soup and a sandwich. A 1 cup serving of this soup contains 100 calories, 2g fat, 14g carbs, 410mg sodium, 1g fiber, 7g protein, 4g sugar.

 
* Dreyer's Peach Fruit Bars- These are great! They curb your craving for sweets while providing you with a serving a fresh fruit. Each bar contains only 100 calories, 0g fat, 24g carbs, 0mg sodium, 0g fiber, 0g protein, 23g sugar.