17 Processed Foods Nutritionists Approve Of
Despite processed food's bad reputationwhich, for the most part, is deservedthere are actually several items you can indulge in guilt-free. Nutritionists shared with us their top picks for processed foods that they actually approve and that don't make them cringe when spotted in someone else's grocery cart. 1. Yogurt, Sure, it may come in a container, but that's not a reason to not befriend this silky goddess. "Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12, calcium, and a food source of probiotics," says Rebecca Lewis, RD for HelloFresh, a healthy meal kit delivery service. "When buying, read the label and try to select one that is less than 12g of sugar per serving. Instead, add the sweetness from fresh fruits you choose yourself." When you can, go for Greek. It's got double the protein and oftentimes contains around half the sugar. Again, steer clear of flavored varieties. 2. Frozen veggies, Don't let the bag dissuade you! "Frozen vegetables are minimally processed, but retain most of the nutrition during the process," comments Lisa Hayim, registered dietitian and founder of The WellNecessities. "They may even be more nutrient-rich than fresh because they are picked and frozen at the time they are at their nutritional peak.", , 3. Tomato sauce, Typically, sauces that aren't homemade don't fit very nicely into your big plan to eat clean. But there's a twist when it comes to tomatoes. "Tomato products, such as tomato sauce, contain higher levels of cancer-fighting lycopene than fresh tomatoes. To gain the best benefits, look for varieties with limited added sugar sugar should not be one of the top three ingredients and lower in sodium," suggests Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies. "Selecting varieties with less than 140 mg of sodium per serving is the best choice.", 4. Sauerkraut, The corner of Hot Dog Street and Kraut Avenue isn't exactly the center of skinny town, but this potent condiment is well worth slipping into your diet. "This fermented cabbage is full of health benefits," says Palinski-Wade. "Thanks to the fermenting process, sauerkraut is a rich source of probiotics which help to aid digestive health. It is also rich in fiber while providing a source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Some studies have found sauerkraut may also offer breast-cancer prevention properties.", 5. Chickpeas and canned beans, Beans are one of celeb trainer Mark Langowski's favorite foods for flat abs. "Black, white, redwhatever your choice is, make sure you keep these in your diet," the Eat This, Not That! For Abs author says. But we'll admit that cooking dried beans from scratch when you want a quick weeknight dinner can be a total pain. And while we typically recommend that people stay away from canned products because the lining is probably lined with BPA, canned beans and chickpeas can be total heroes. "They might come in a can, but canned beans are a great source of ready to eat protein," offers Palinski-Wade. "Packed full of soluble fiber, iron, and resistant starch makes it a great low-fat, affordable, plant-based protein source." When choosing canned beans or canned anything, always opt for low-sodium varieties. 6. Granola, You've probably heard that granola is a hidden landmine for diet saboteurs like sugar, calories, and even excess sodium. Although that's largely true, that's not always the case "Some granolas are a great source of fiber and even protein. However, many companies add unnecessary sugar or even honey. Be sure to read the label and look for no sugar added.' A good rule of thumb is to make sure it has less than 10 grams of sugar per serving," advises Hayim. 7. Veggie burgers, "The primary ingredient in many veggie burgers can be TVP textured vegetable protein, which is a product made by extracting soy from soybeans, heating it, and then drying it," says Hayim. "Unfortunately, the veggies, nuts, seeds, and beans are usually the secondary ingredients." The good news? "Now there are awesome brands that have made veggies and legumes the first ingredient on the list, indicating they are primarily made up of real food. Read the labels and avoid ones with modified corn starch or artificial colors or flavors.", 8. Unsweetened almond milk, This can be a great option for those with GI sensitivity. But it's important to note that many of the brands contain food additives, such as carrageenan, gums, and food starches that thicken and stabilize the milk making it more palatable and similar to milk. "Search for an almond milk that only contains just the nut and filtered water. Anything else is unnecessary," explains Hayim. Luckily, more brands are either launching carrageenan-free lines or starting to eliminate it. Almond Breeze's Original option quietly went carrageenan-free in October 2015. 9. Organic jelly, 11. Frozen pizza, It's not completely innocent, and we're not about to tell you to stock up. It does use a refined bread and can add up in calories when you overdo it. But The Nutrition Twins recommend it because the cheese is a calcium-rich food. "Plus, the tomato sauce is a concentrated source of tomatoes, and the antioxidant lycopene that comes with it," they continue. But always skip the processed meat add-ons like pepperoni and sausage that are high in saturated fat and that may increase your risk for certain cancers. Go for plain cheese pizza or cheese pizza with veggies." And if you can find whole grain crusts, then that's your best option. 12. Freeze-dried fruit, "Research has found that freeze-dried fruit retains most, if not all, of the nutrient value of fresh fruit," says Palinski-Wade. "The crispy texture makes it a nutritious alternative to a chip while the long shelf life helps to reduce food waste and enhances portability." Look for brands without any added sugars, i.e. where the ingredients are just fruit and nothing else. 13. Pickles, Pickles are processed through fermentation, which was initially done to improve shelf life and food preservation. "But this fermentation helps create probioticsthe good bacteria in your gut which help support the immune system and reduce inflammation in the gut," says Hayim. Low in calories, they're also great to nosh on between meals as a light snack. 14. Dark chocolate, Yep, you have full permission to intelligently indulge. Thanks to its high flavonoid content, dark chocolate has been found to improve cholesterol levels and even lower blood pressure. "Chocolate has also been associated with an increase in the feel-good chemical serotonin, helping to lift your mood. Just make sure to select dark chocolate that's at least 70 cacao or above to gain the benefits," advises Palinski-Wade. 15. Ezekiel bread, "Ezekiel bread is sprouted, which means it is made of several different types of grains and legumes. Unlike traditional bread, it is not refined or pulverized whole wheat," says Hayim. "When searching for any bread, make sure that whole wheat is listed as the first ingredient, since a bread can be called whole wheat' just as long as wheat is involved, even if it's not 100 and is made up of other refined ingredients.", 16. Peanut butter, Regardless of which camp you're fromcreamy or crunchythis smooth spread is a solid bet when it comes to packaged foods. "Peanut Butter is an excellent source of fiber and healthy unsaturated plant-based fats. But make sure to eat in moderation as one tablespoon has seven grams of fat and 63 calories," says Lewis. "When buying, read the label and ensure there are no added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, and that there are no hydrogenated oils, which is a fancy way of saying trans fats.", , 17. String cheese, Like most things on this list, the exact product you pick will make a world of difference. You can't just opt for any string cheese mozzarella or cheddar from top brands like Horizon Organic are usually your best bets. "From a saturated fat perspective, low-fat cheeses are better for you and can also contain fewer calories, which is good because it can be all too easy to get a lot of calories from cheese," says Isabel Smith, registered dietitian and founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition.