overhead view of a supermarket produce aisle

Our shopping guides

These shopping guides come from Nutrition Action. We don't accept any paid advertising or corporate or government donations. Any products we recommend have been vetted by our staff and are not advertisements by the manufacturers.

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thin crust pizza on a wooden cutting board topped with pineapple, onion, parsley, chicken

How to buy—or make—a better pizza

Pizza is no health food. It’s typically white flour plus cheese, ample sodium, maybe processed meat, and few vegetables. But if you’re hunting for a better pie, try these. As for veggies, a crust can only hold so many before it gets soggy. Side salad, anyone?

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN, Marlena Koch
blue bowl of oatmeal with berries and bananas.

Some of the best oatmeals & other hot breakfast finds

Finding a healthy hot cereal starts out simple: Look for whole grains. Most hot cereals are. (Exceptions: grits, Cream of Rice, and Cream of Wheat typically are refined.)

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN, Marlena Koch
green asparagus stalks with melting pat of butter

How to find a healthier butter or spread

Mooove over, butter. Everything from “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!” to “plant” and “oat milk” butters are vying to unseat the spreadable dairy fat. That’s a good thing. Most wannabes have far less artery-clogging saturated fat...and more heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Here are 8 tips to help you find the best non-butters, plus what else does (or doesn't) matter.

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN, Marlena Koch
grocery store freezers

What's hot in the healthier ice cream aisle?

It’s not always clear if ice creams are getting better for us...or just better at marketing. Should you go for a keto, plant-based, or protein-packed pint? Or pick one that adds olive oil, fruit, nuts, or fiber? Rule No. 1: Don’t confuse ice cream with health food. That said, you can scoop up a fabulous frozen treat without heading into Häagen-Dazs territory. Read on.

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN
a smoothie

What's in the best smoothies & shakes

At shops like Jamba Juice, most smoothies aren’t just fruit plus milk or yogurt. They often contain sugary sherbet, juice, lemonade, frozen yogurt, etc. So even the smallest sizes typically start at 250 to 400 calories. In other words, they just can’t beat the smoothies you whip up at home. Here’s our DIY guide. Short on time, or on the go? We've also picked out some of the best bottled smoothies and shakes.

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN
chocolate chip cookie

How sweet it is! Finding better cookies, brownies, etc.

Is it worth hunting for a better cookie? That depends. If you have a hankering for an occasional sugar-butter-white-flour experience, maybe not. Ditto if better cookies draw you away from healthy snacks like fresh fruit or nuts. However, if you prefer a cookie that’s less sweet, whole grain, and rich in nuts or dried fruit, look no further. We also tossed in a handful of better brownies, “bites,” and “thins.”

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN
pesto

15 time-saving toppings to make flavors pop

Wouldn’t it be nice to build a stable of dips, dressings, sauces, and toppings that can take your salads, veggies, pasta, poultry, seafood, grains, and more from good to great in a snap? These fast flavorings pack a punch without much salt or sugar or add creamy richness without over doing unhealthy (saturated) fats.

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN, Kate Sherwood
cans of soup

What's hot in the soup aisle

Rules number one, two, and three of soup? Cut the salt, keep the flavor, and load up on the good stuff (beans, lentils, vegetables). Here’s how to find soups that do all three...and more. Check the photos for some of the best-tasting Best Bites and Honorable Mentions.

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN, Bonnie Liebman, MS
a bowl of whole-grain cereal

What counts in the cereal aisle

The healthiest standbys don’t change much. They’re mostly unsweetened shredded wheat, whole wheat or bran flakes, and fruit-and-nut muesli. All have little or no added sugar and plenty of whole grains. Pretty simple stuff.

Healthy EatingLindsay Moyer, MS, RDN