Healthy Packaged Foods

Packaged foods can be bad news — even when they claim to be healthy.

A big problem with many packaged foods is that they contain omega-6 fats (which have the opposite effect of healthy omega-3 fats). Omega-6 fats can be in foods you never would have suspected, like crackers and pasta sauces.

Here’s a list of some healthy choices within a few packaged food categories:

Salad Dressings

BRIANNAS (all flavors)
Cains Naturally Delicious All Natural Dressing (some flavors, including Asian Sesame Vinaigrette)
Drew's All Natural (all flavors)

Pasta Sauces

Bertolli (many flavors, including Marinara with Burgundy Wine)
Classico (some flavors, including Tomato Basil)
Dell'Amore (all flavors)

Granola Bars

Honest Foods Granola “Planks” (all flavors)
Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars (most flavors)
Nature Valley (some flavors, including Oats ’n Honey)

Tip: If you have trouble finding traditional granola bars that don’t contain omega-6-rich oils, try a fruit-and-nut bar, such as LÄRABAR.

Breads

Alvarado Street Bakery (many varieties)
Dimpflmeier (many varieties)

Mayonnaise

Cains Naturally Delicious All Natural
Spectrum Canola Mayonnaise (also available in Light)

Crackers

Dr. Kracker (all flavors)
Kashi TLC Crackers (all flavors)
Old London JJ Flats Flatbreads (all flavors)

[Image via AP Images.]

Tags: nutrition, omega 3, omega 6, packaged foods