From buttery-soft brie to firm, grainy parmesan to rolls of flavored goat cheese, there's something for every cheese taste in the dairy case at Trader Joe's. There are even some plant-based and lactose-free cheese options. Trader Joe's has all your cheesy needs covered.

The store stocks fancy cheeses for entertaining and a great mix of pre-shredded Parms and mozzarella for topping pizzas. Of course, there are also slices for sandwiches and burgers and tubs of cream cheeses and spreads.

Even the professionals shop at TJ's. Molly Browne, education director at the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and an ACS Certified Cheese Professional, says, "Trader Joe's has a nice selection of artisan cheeses, and many of their options have become cult classics."

If you want to impress with your cheese board skills, Browne recommends "picking three to five types of cheeses, depending on the size of your crowd. Vary the flavors and textures—try one soft cheese, one harder cheese, and one funky cheese like a blue."

For cooking, Bronwne notes that it comes down to the recipe you have in mind and personal preference. "Cheese attributes like acidity, moisture, textures ranging from soft to hard, and flavors from mild to sharp assist the artist behind the apron in determining the right cheese to make any dish a standout," she says.

So whether you're preparing a cheese board to impress guests or want a new snacking cheese to keep in the fridge, head to your local TJ's to stock up.

For an idea of where to start—should you stick to the standby double cream brie or try something new that's more herby or spicy?—we're here to help. I picked up seven of the most popular cheeses at Trader Joe's to sample for myself.

I took note of how each cheese looked, smelled, and, of course, tasted. So, while I always encourage trying something new at the store, if you don't want to take the risk, here's how my taste test of seven Trader Joe's cheeses went.

Dutch Smoked Cheese

This round cheese comes from the Netherlands and is infused with a rich, smoky flavor.

The look: The cheese presumably comes from a long tube. The grocery store sells it in a thick, round patty shape with a rust-brown rind around the perimeter. The center is yellowish, and the cheese has a firm but squishy, rubbery texture. The rind is edible, and it can be peeled off easily.

The taste: I expected a more smoke-forward flavor from this cheese, but most of the smokiness was captured in the rind, so if you get a piece without any rind (or if you prefer not to eat cheese rinds), you miss that more interesting taste. The center of the cheese was mild and creamy, but nothing stood out.

RELATED: I Tried 9 Trader Joe's Wines Under $15—& One Was Worth Every Penny

Brie Cheese with Wild Mushrooms

This soft cheese comes from Germany and contains a mix of thinly sliced mushrooms. It's sold in wedges, presumably taken from a large wheel. This cheese has a high fat and saturated fat content compared to the more firm options I tested.

The look: The cheese wedge is about 2 inches thick and has an ashy white rind. The center is off-white and marked by slivers of mixed mushrooms and air bubbles of various sizes. It has a semi-firm texture, so this is not the uber-creamy, spreadable brie you may expect.

The taste: The mushrooms give this cheese a decidedly umami flavor, and I found it to taste almost truffly, but there are no truffles or truffle oil in the ingredient list. There aren't a ton of mushrooms in the cheese, so you rarely get a full piece of fungi, but you can taste them in every bite. Otherwise, the cheese is not overly strong flavored, and it didn't have the silky smooth cream texture I love in a soft cheese.

Wisconsin Extra Sharp Cheddar

This plank of extra-sharp cheddar is a product of Wisconsin. It's been aged for a minimum of nine months, a process that concentrates the flavor and firms up the texture.

The look: This is a pretty standard-looking block of white cheddar cheese. It's just under 1 inch thick and has a firm texture that gives a bit when squeezed. It slices easily into neat rectangles.

The taste: I expected a much stronger cheese flavor from this "extra sharp" cheddar, but it's quite mild. Cheddar is a great melting cheese, and this would be delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich, but you'd want something spicy or sweet to amp up the flavor.

RELATED: I Tried 11 Trader Joe's Frozen Desserts & the Winner Was Delightfully Decadent

Parmesan Cheese

This cheese had the highest protein count and one of the highest sodium content of the Trader Joe's cheeses I sampled. The packaging doesn't specify where this cheese is from. Technically, if it's not from Parma, Italy, it can't be called Parmesan with a capital P. I assume TJ's would make it known if this was an Italian import, so let's assume this is parmesan, not Parmesan.

The look: This cheese is sold in the signature thick wedge. It has a hard, dry rind on the wider edge of the wedge and over one side (the rinds are great for thickening soups, so don't let yours go to waste). The cheese is the firmest in this test and has a pale yellow color.

The taste: This parm was saltier than many of the others I sampled, but it wasn't necessarily all that flavorful or bold-tasting. It had the grainy texture of all Parmesans, so it's easily grated and sliced off in shards rather than neat slices. I think pricier imported parmesan cheeses have a more robust flavor.

Asiago Cheese with Rosemary & Olive Oil

Asiago is another hard cheese, and this wedge is infused with dried rosemary and olive oil.

The look: This thin wedge is coated on one side with a generous sprinkling of dried rosemary. The herb sticks to the cheese well, so you get a fair bit in every bite if you slice it correctly. This asiago also has a firm rind on one side.

The taste: I immediately noticed the funky aroma of this cheese after opening the package. It has a sharp but creamy flavor with an herby finish. I wouldn't say I could taste the olive oil, but you get plenty of rosemary, which could be off-putting if you're not a fan of intense dried herb flavors.

RELATED: I Tried 8 Trader Joe's Frozen Pizzas & the Best Was Tasty (and Adorable!)

Double Cream Gouda Cheese

This gouda comes from Holland and is made with cow's milk. Like the parm, it's sliced from a larger wheel and has a rind on two sides.

The look: This is a rubbery, dense cheese with a few small air pockets in the yellowish center. It has a darker yellow rind that's quite hard and waxy.

The taste: This gouda has a tangier flavor than most of the cheeses I tried from Trader Joe's. It's sharp but creamy, with a richness that coats your mouth. The texture is semi-hard, and the cheese is easy to slice into planks or cubes. The rind also peels off easily.

RELATED: I Tried 9 Trader Joe's Frozen Pastas & The Best Was Creamy & Delicious

La Délice de Bourgogine Triple Cream Soft Ripened Cheese

This French cheese doesn't have a distinct classification, but it's similar to brie or Camembert in its flavor, texture, and look. It comes in a special hard plastic case to presumably prevent any smushing in transit, as it's a very soft, delicate wedge.

The look: The high-fat content of this soft cheese is visible. It has three layers: a fairly thick washed rind, then an intensely creamy layer that's silky smooth and spreads like soft butter. The center is a bit firmer, which gives the cheese some structure, and is pocked by small air pockets.

The taste: This cheese is insanely creamy and rich. You can cut away slices, but they nearly fall apart on your knife. This is a cheese that needs a cracker for spreading. The flavor is wonderfully buttery and has a funky back-of-the-throat flavor that you get from well-made cheeses.

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The post I Tried 7 Trader Joe's Cheeses & the Best Is Super Creamy and Rich appeared first on Eat This Not That.

If you don't want to preserve your own cucumbers in jars, you can find a wide array of pickles at any grocery store. Some are preserved in glass jars and can be found in the inner aisles of the store, while others are kept in the refrigerated section.

The difference between shelf-stable and refrigerated pickles is how they're processed. Pickles sold at room temperature have been treated with a hot water bath and sealed in an airtight jar that prevents the growth of bacteria. The cucumbers have essentially been cooked, which darkens their color and can soften their texture. This method extends cucumbers' shelf life significantly.

Refrigerated pickles, on the other hand, have not had the hot-water treatment. They're preserved in a salty, sweet, vinegary brine that keeps bacteria out. These cukes have not been cooked and, therefore, tend to be lighter colored and have a crisper, snappier texture.

It's easy to find both kinds of pickles at your local supermarket, but it's not always easy to know which will taste the best. So, to help you shop for your next jar, I sampled seven of the most common varieties of dill pickles. I included a selection of both shelf-stable and refrigerated pickles from different brands.

Here's how these seven popular pickles ranked in my test, in descending order.

B&G Kosher Dill Pickle Chips

These round pickle chips from B&G fell flat in the flavor and texture department. They're colored with yellow dye No. 5 and come in a shelf-stable jar.

The look: These ridged pickle rounds are thick-cut and have a yellowish-green tint. The cucumber skin is darker and pocked with natural spots. A fair amount of mustard seed is also floating in the clear green pickle brine.

The taste: These chips were, unfortunately, quite soggy and mushy rather than crispy or crunchy. The center was especially soft, and getting past this disappointing texture was hard. The thicker slice is also too large for a burger or a sandwich.

RELATED: Ex-McDonald's Chef Claims You Can Buy the Popular Pickles at the Store

Vlasic Ovals Hamburger Dill Chips

These ridged dill pickle chips from Vlasic looked and tasted the most similar to B&G, with a slightly improved texture. These pickles are colored with turmeric rather than artificial dyes.

The look: These pickles have a slightly yellow tinge in the corner. They're fairly thick-cut with deep ridges. The clear brine contains no visible flavoring agents, such as mustard seed or garlic.

The taste: These pickles have a slightly sweeter flavor (they contain a trace amount of high-fructose corn syrup) and are quite salty. Aside from salt, there's little nuance in the flavor, and they have a thick slice that's hard to manage in a burger or sandwich.

Claussen Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices

Claussen's kosher dill slices are designed for maximum coverage in a sandwich. They're sold in the refrigerator section and are pickled with turmeric, garlic, and red pepper.

The look: These pickles are sliced into long, thin planks with those familiar ridges. The juice is clear and light-colored, and the slices are thinner than those of B&G and Vlasic. The pickles have an attractive pale green color.

The taste: These pickles are for salt lovers. They're highly seasoned, and despite the visible bits of crushed garlic in the brine, there isn't much more in the flavor department besides salt. That said, they have a nice crunch, at least around the edges (the center gets a bit soggy), and they taste lighter and fresher than the shelf-stable jars I sampled.

RELATED: 8 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Fried Pickles

Grillo's Pickle Chips

These pale green chips are found in the refrigerated section. Each container is bursting with pickles and juice (beware of a splash when you open the lid). They're made with seven simple ingredients: cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, garlic, dill, and grape leaves. The grape leaves help cucumbers stay crisp.

The look: The pickle brine is full of good stuff, including tons of fresh dill fronds and garlic. The pickles are a pretty, pale green and are much more thinly sliced than the jarred pickles I sampled. They have the same ridges, and there's a bit more variety in the sizing, with some extra-long slices and other petite coins.

The taste: These pickles are garlicky! They're heavy on flavoring additions, including dill, and have an excellent snappy crunch. The thickness is ideal for slipping into a sandwich, and they'd add a great pop of savory flavor and saltiness to a juicy burger.

Bubbies Spicy Kosher Dill Pickles

I had to try at least one whole pickle variety, and this jar from Bubbies had some spice. These pickles are kept in a glass jar in the fridge and are preserved with hot peppers.

The look: This was the cloudiest pickle brine in the test, perhaps because of the added peppers. The whole cucumbers are picked with sliced red and green chilis.

The taste: Unless you sample a pepper on its own, these pickles aren't overwhelmingly hot. They have a nice, gentle heat and a good amount of crunch, though the centers of the cucumbers are a bit soft. The added spice and larger size make these cukes more interesting and satisfying as a snack on their own than some of the other more basic pickles in this test.

RELATED: Are Pickles Good for You? 7 Effects of Eating Them

Maille Original Cornichons

This elegant French jar contains the cutest little cucumbers that are just begging to be served on a luxurious appetizer board or in a savory cocktail.

The look: Rather than chips, spears, or slices, these pickles are whole cucumbers—adorable tiny ones, that is—also known as gherkins. The cukes are bumpy and hairy, but that's all part of their charm. The pickle brine is slightly cloudier in this jar than others, and the cucumbers are floating amongst tiny pickled pearl onions and a copious amount of red and yellow mustard seeds.

The taste: These tiny cukes are wonderfully snappy and savory. The sweet pickled onions make a nice addition, and despite having a slightly higher sodium content per serving, the pickles don't have an overwhelmingly salty flavor. Instead, you get a nice amount of allium flavor from the garlic and onions.

Horman's Kosher Dill Chips

I loved these refrigerated dill pickle chips' light, not-too-salty flavor, and crisp crunch. They'd easily elevate any sandwich or burger, but I'm happy eating them straight out of the jar.

The look: These pickles come in a tall plastic jar and must be refrigerated. They're in the middle of the thickness scale and have those deep ridges you expect from a classic pickle chip. The bright green center and darker skin color are all-natural.

The taste: These pickles are deeply savory and happily not overwhelmingly salty. They taste snappy and fresh, with a crisp texture that's not overcooked. I could easily snack on these as-is without developing an overwhelming thirst. The subtle garlic flavor is an excellent addition that keeps the flavor nuanced and refined-tasting.

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The post I Tried 7 Pickle Brands & The Best Was Crisp and Cold appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Oatmeal is a whole-grain breakfast cereal, packed with fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. The fiber in oats is excellent for digestion and can help keep you full and satisfied all morning with balanced blood sugar levels, so you're less likely to reach for a sugary snack before noon.

Fiber is also known to help protect against chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, and most Americans do not get enough of this important nutrient in their daily diets. When you start your morning with a bowl of oatmeal, you can easily get up to four grams of fiber with your first meal, which is nearly 20% of your recommended daily value. And if you add fresh or dried fruit, nuts, or seeds to your bowl, you'll get even more fiber.

Most single servings of oatmeal also offer 4 or more grams of protein, which helps keep you feeling full. Oats also contain micronutrients such as thiamin, phosphorus, and magnesium. Your body needs all these minerals daily to turn food into energy and keep your metabolism running smoothly.

If you're looking for a healthy, satisfying, and lightening-fast breakfast solution, instant oatmeal just may be your ticket. Of course, the grocery store has dozens of instant oatmeal varieties. The options can be overwhelming and seemingly endless, from flavored cereals to completely plain packets to oatmeal fortified with chia, flax, and protein powder.

So, to save you time and confusion at the grocery store, I picked up six of the most common instant oatmeal products and tried them myself.

For this test, I prepared each oatmeal product with water in the microwave, according to the directions on the packaging. I tried them all fresh out of the microwave while they were hot. Here's how each instant oatmeal ranked in descending order.

Better Oats Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal

This oatmeal is marketed as containing 100 calories per pouch, which, to be fair, is not much different than many of the instant oatmeal packets I sampled (Target's brand also contains 100 calories per pack). These oats contain flaxseed and are sweetened with sugar, sucralose, molasses, and maple syrup. They're also lightly fortified with vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, folate, and iron.

The look: I appreciated that the pouch for this instant oatmeal doubles as a measuring cup with a fill line for your water. It was just the right amount because the oatmeal came out soft and creamy. The serving size did seem a bit smaller than other oatmeal packets I made for this test.

The taste: I was put off by the strong faux maple flavoring in this bowl of oatmeal. Despite the minimal amount of sugar in the nutrition panel, these oats tasted sweeter than the others in my taste test, likely because of the added sucralose.

RELATED: 12 Unhealthiest Instant Oatmeals—Ranked by Sugar Content 

Quaker Lower Sugar Instant Oatmeal Maple & Brown Sugar

I was surprised by the disappointing texture and flavor of this instant cereal from the most well-known oatmeal brand. This lower-sugar variety is sweetened with real sugar and monk fruit extract, so it still contains 4 grams of added sugar.

The look: The dry oatmeal didn't look special, but the flakes were noticeably smaller and thinner than some of the other instant oatmeals I sampled. When I removed the bowl from the microwave, I noticed it hadn't cooked evenly. The center was sunken and dried-out looking, while the edges were puffy and bubbling. This could have something to do with my microwave, but I did follow the cooking instructions on the packet. After stirring, it was still rather gluey and needed a splash more water to loosen up.

The taste: I appreciated that this oatmeal did not taste too sweet despite the maple and brown sugar flavor. I can't say I could pick up on much maple flavor, but it was nicely sweetened.

Kodiak Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Power Cup

This was one of two portable oatmeal cups I sampled. It's a bit heftier from a volume and nutritional standpoint—it contains 14 grams of protein, much more than any other instant oatmeal I sampled.

The look: Though I followed the instructions to add enough water to cover the oats in the cup and microwave for no more than 45 seconds, I found the cooked oats to be thin and watery. The oats sank to the bottom of the cup and didn't cook together into a cohesive porridge.

The taste: This protein oatmeal was quite sweet. It contains 12 grams of added sugars from cane sugar, brown sugar, and dried maple syrup. I liked that the sugar sources were natural, not artificial or chemically-tasting, but the sugar content was still a little much for my ideal breakfast. The oats are also made with pea protein, which has a distinct powdery flavor that's not everyone's cup of tea (or oats).

RELATED: Exactly How Much Oatmeal To Eat To Reap Its Amazing Benefits

Good & Gather Organic Plain Instant Oatmeal

This instant oatmeal is basic and unflavored, but it is a solid option for when you want to dress up a bowl of hot cereal. It cooks in a minute or less and has a uniform, creamy texture.

The look: This plain oatmeal has the beige, porridge-like texture you expect from heating organic whole-grain rolled oats and water. It's not the prettiest, but it's also not so thick or gluey that it cements onto your bowl. The cereal is pale and has smaller oat flakes than other cereals I tried.

The taste: This oatmeal is perfectly fine. It doesn't have much flavor, but that makes it a good base for your favorite toppings, be they sweet or savory. If you want plain oatmeal that cooks quickly, you can't go wrong with this choice from Target's store brand.

Nature's Path Original Instant Oatmeal

This is a great basic oatmeal with a single ingredient: organic whole-grain rolled oats. It's unsweetened and unflavored, which makes it a tasty and highly nutritious blank canvas for berries, maple syrup, nuts, or whatever you like.

The look: Oatmeal may not be the most beautiful of dishes, and this plain bowl of cooked oats is as basic as it gets, but it has a creamy, soft texture that's not gluey and thick or watery and loose. The oats cook evenly in the microwave for a little over a minute.

The taste: This oatmeal tasted about as simple as you can get. Yes, it tastes healthy and is far from the dessert-like experience you'll get from a sugar-sweetened instant oatmeal, but that makes it a reliable, healthy breakfast choice. And you can have the fun of adding your favorite toppings. Since this instant oatmeal is so basic, you could even take it in a savory direction with a fried egg and chili crisp—who says oatmeal always has to be sweet?

RELATED: 7 Fast-Food Chains That Serve the Best Oatmeal

Bob's Red Mill Brown Sugar & Maple Oatmeal Cup

This oatmeal cup from Bob's Red Mill was the most satisfying of the bunch for me. The combination of three varieties of oats–quick-cooking, old-fashioned, and stone-ground Scottish oatmeal–plus flax and chia seeds makes for a winning texture and flavor.

The look: This cup has a handy fill line marked on the outside. Though it would be even better to have the fill line on the cup's interior, adding the right amount of water is easy. It's microwaved for about a minute, and the texture is uniformly creamy and scoopable. The chia seeds absorb excess water for a rich, almost decadent texture.

The taste: This oatmeal cup is flavored with maple and brown sugar, but maple is the dominant taste. The porridge is not overly sweet and even tastes a bit salty, which I love. It's sweetened with real brown sugar, so you don't get any of the fake taste I found in some of the other instant oatmeals I sampled.

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The post I Tried 6 Instant Oatmeal Brands & the Best Won for Texture and Flavor appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Maybe simmering your own French onion soup isn't in the cards, and it's too blustery to venture to a neighborhood bistro. In that case, you're in luck, because your grocery store has plenty of soup jars to satisfy your cravings. Then again, not all store-bought French onion soups are created equal. Some should be avoided at all costs.

I sampled five store-bought, shelf-stable jars, cans, and packets of French onion soup to see which, if any, lived up to my expectations of a homemade or restaurant-quality soup. For this test, I prepared each soup according to the package instructions.

Some had to be diluted with additional water or broth. One came in a powder form that had to be reconstituted on the stove. And others were ready to enjoy straight from the jar. To keep things uniform, I did not add the traditional croutons or melted cheese to my soups for this test. But, if you're preparing any of these products at home, I strongly recommend completing the dish with a crostini and a generous serving of Gruyère.

Here is how these five store-bought French onion soups ranked in descending order.

Lipton Onion Soup & Dip Mix

This was the only powdered soup mix in the test. It can be turned into a dip by mixing the pouch contents with sour cream or plain yogurt or simmered with water into a soup. For this test, I followed the soup-making instructions.

The look: To make the soup, mix the powder with 4 cups of water and cook it for 10 minutes. After cooking it for the total amount of time, the soup was thin, and the sparse onions floating around were still a bit crunchy like they hadn't been fully reconstituted from their dry state.

The taste: This was the thinnest, least interesting soup I tried. The dominant flavor was saltiness, and the onions were flavorless and still dry and hard in the center. I think it would be better as a dip, but it would need to be made ahead of time to let the onions fully rehydrate.

RELATED: The #1 Healthiest Soup at 10 Major Restaurant Chains

Progresso French Onion Soup

This canned French onion soup is heavy on the broth and high on the salt content. It contains added sugars, possibly to enhance the caramelized flavors, but unfortunately, the taste falls flat.

The look: This soup is almost entirely broth. There are a few spare shreds of thick onion chunks floating around, but nothing close to the thick, veggie-packed soup you'd get at a restaurant. The ingredient list shows that the soup's dark brown color is enhanced with apple juice concentrate and hibiscus juice concentrate.

The taste: Overall, this tastes like a well-seasoned broth. It's definitely on the salty side and has little to no onion flavor. The soup does have a bit more texture and body than most store-bought broths, likely from the added beef fat.

RELATED: I Tried 6 Canned Chicken Noodle Soups & the Best Was Loaded with Meat & Veggies

Campbell's Condensed French Onion Soup

Campbell's condensed French onion soup is designed to be mixed with an equal amount of water. Add the soup to a pot, and then add a can full of water and heat everything up. This gives you some flexibility with your canned soup; you can add more or less water depending on whether you want a thinner or more concentrated dish. Or you could use broth instead of water for added flavor.

The look: This canned soup contains more onions than Progresso, and they're cut into smaller, more easily spoonable pieces. The onions are deeply caramelized and rusty brown in color, just like the broth, which comes in part from added caramel color.

The taste: This soup tasted less salty than both Progresso's and Lipton's. Though the condensed soup contains more sodium, the other flavors come to the front once it's diluted with water, including savoriness from a surprise ingredient: cheddar cheese.

RELATED: I Tried Every Soup at Panera & One Can't Be Beat

Sutter Buttes French Onion Soup

This artisan jarred French onion soup has a richer flavor, texture, and nutrition profile than most of the other products I sampled for this test. The higher fat content comes from beef fat and butter, which go a long way to enhance the flavor and texture of every spoonful.

The look: This soup is heavy on the onions and has the deep, rich, almost ruby color of long-simmered beef broth. There are visible fat globs on the top of the cold soup, which disappear when heated.

The taste: I love this soup's deeply caramelized, rich flavors, which don't come from added sugar. The soup has a kick of acidity from brandy, but not quite as much as Williams Sonoma's version below. Sutter Buttes is more on the beefy, meaty side of things flavor-wise.

RELATED: I Tried 9 Store-Bought Tomato Soups & the Winner Was Savory & Not Too Sweet

Williams Sonoma French Onion Soup Starter

I found this jarred French onion soup at the kitchen goods store Williams Sonoma. Though it's called a "soup starter," the contents of the jar do not need to be amended with water or additional broth. Warm the soup with toasted bread and melty cheese for a complete dish.

The look: This soup is jam-packed with thinly sliced caramelized onions. The broth has a natural caramel-brown color and a nice shine and body. When I opened the jar, visible fat had collected at the top, indicating that this product is made with real beef and butter.

The taste: This soup tastes restaurant-quality. It's rich and deeply savory, with acidic pop from brandy and red wine vinegar. The soup has a nicely balanced flavor that's heavy on the alliums with a herby finish from thyme and marjoram. You can also taste and feel the butterfat in the mix, which enhances the almost homemade quality of this jarred soup.

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The post I Tried 5 Store-Bought French Onion Soups & the Best Is Rich & Onion-Packed appeared first on Eat This Not That.

"The standard recommendation, based on the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, is 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories," says McLeod. For instance, women aged 19-30, consuming 2,000 calories daily, should ideally aim for 28 grams of fiber, while men in the same age group with a 2,400-calorie intake should target 34 grams.

Fiber intake is so crucial because studies show that meeting these daily fiber goals can support a healthy gut microbiome, reduce the risk of heart disease, and help regulate weight and blood glucose levels. The key is incorporating fiber into every meal—and snacks!—to ensure a steady flow of fiber throughout the day.

However, the unfortunate reality is that many readily available packaged snacks lack the fiber content we need. So, how can you add fiber to your diet without compromising on taste or convenience? We spoke to registered dietitians to discover the healthiest store-bought, high-fiber snacks that not only help you meet your daily requirements but also satisfy your taste buds.

How to choose healthy high-fiber snacks at the grocery store:

First things first—we have to define what a "high-fiber snack" is. For our list, a snack is considered "high fiber" if it contains at least 3 grams of fiber. "If a snack is 150-200 calories, then 2-3 grams of fiber would be the typical recommendation for a snack. Anything above that would be considered 'high fiber,'" says McLeod.

While we've done the legwork for you to come up with this list, if you're shopping for your own high-fiber snacks, registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, RD has some tips, starting with the nutrition panel on the product packaging.

Here's what she looks for on a nutrition label:

• "First, look for the 'Dietary Fiber' content; a good high-fiber snack should have at least 3 grams per serving.
• Second, assess the 'Total Carbohydrate' content. While fiber is a type of carbohydrate, it doesn't impact blood sugar the same way other carbs do, so it's beneficial to choose snacks with a higher ratio of fiber to total carbs.
• Finally, keep an eye on the 'Ingredients' list. The best high-fiber snacks have whole foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes listed as the first ingredients, not sugars or processed grains."

We've scoured the nutrition panels and ingredients for you to find these 38 high-quality, high-fiber snacks:

The Only Bean Roasted Edamame Beans

Soybeans are another great legume source of protein and fiber, but they're not typically the most portable. That's where these dry roasted crunchy beans come in handy. They're made with just three ingredients are offer the salty, crispy bite you're craving.

RELATED: 23 High-Protein Snacks To Stay Full & Energized All Day

Popadelics Mushroom Chips

These crunchy mushroom chips are super savory and full of umami. They come in fun flavors like truffle parm, Thai chili, and rosemary, plus they pack a whopping 6 grams of fiber per serving.

Abby's Better Butter Chocolate Almond Butter Squeeze Pack

This nut butter travels well for snacking anywhere, anytime. Plus, it tastes like the highly processed chocolate spread you know, but it's made with added protein and sweetened with lower-glycemic coconut sugar.

RELATED: 17 Healthiest Peanut Butters To Buy, Say Dietitians

Good Wheat Quickcakes

If your social media feed is full of people making fancy single-serving mug cakes, you'll have to try this high-fiber breakfast mix. You just add water, pop it in the microwave, and voila: you have a fluffy pancake that just so happens to carry 11 grams of fiber.

Solely Banana Bitecoins

Dried bananas are naturally sweet (these contain no added sugar), plus they're high in potassium. You can enjoy these banana coins all on their own or stir them into yogurt for a more well-rounded snackl.

Oobli Chocolate

It's hard to believe that these chocolate bars contain 10 grams of fiber per serving, but they're secretly made with chicory root fiber and tapioca fiber (you'd never know by the texture and flavor!).

RELATED: 9 Chocolate Bars That Dietitians Love

That's It. Dark Chocolate Fig Truffles

These shiny little orbs look like truffles from a fancy chocolatier, and they have the rich, bittersweet flavor of high-quality dark chocolate plus chewy dried fig on the inside. It's just a bonus that you also get 4 grams of fiber per serving.

These are also a favorite high-fiber snack of registered dietician and cookbook author Jackie Newgent, RD. "They're lovable noshes that offer a way to get your chocolate fix in a good-for-you way, with 4 grams of fiber and just 1 gram of added sugar for a 3-truffle serving."

Mariani Simply Dried Peaches

Mariani makes the softest, juiciest dried fruit on the market with no added sugar, and these simply dried peaches have the summery flavor of fresh peach, available all year long.

Sunsweet Amazn Prunes

Prunes are full of fiber to feed the good bacteria in your gut, which is why they're known for helping to keep you regular.

Registered dietitian Toby Amidor, RD highly recommends prunes to clients. "California-grown prunes from Sunsweet provide 3 grams of fiber per serving and are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are key to supporting bone and heart health," she says.  "In fact, beyond helping adults get enough fiber in their diet, research suggests that eating 5 to 6 prunes each day may help prevent bone loss and help improve risk factors for heart disease and inflammation.*

Rancho Meladuco Dates

With deep, rich caramel flavor and a soft, buttery texture, these boxed dates from California's Rancho Meladuco Date Farm are a decadent snack that's also full of fiber and potassium.

Spring & Mulberry Date-Sweetened Chocolate

This artisanal chocolate is both stunning and better for you than your typical bar. First, you can see the real flavoring ingredients right on the outside of the bar, so there's no guessing about what you're eating. Secondly, the chocolate is sweetened with real dates, not refined sugar, which adds fiber, a rich caramel flavor, and iron and potassium to your dessert.

Goot-to-Go Pad Thai Cups

Who doesn't love pad Thai that travels? Simply add hot water to make a veggie-packed snack or light meal with rice noodles, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, and shrimp all tossed in a bright savory lime sauce.

Evolve Protein Shakes

Not only do these pre-portioned and mixed protein shakes taste like a real shake, but they also pack 20 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per serving, thanks to pea protein and corn fiber. They're also fortified with zinc, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12.

Revol Snax Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Balls

These refrigerated protein balls are soft and sweet like cookie dough, but they're fully plant-based and made with hemp protein, added fiber, and sweetened with monk fruit and stevia.

LesserEvil Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn

Popcorn is a great high-fiber snack, and it doesn't get much taser than this lightly salted bag from LesserEvil. The popcorn is made with just three ingredients: organic corn, coconut oil and Himalayan salt, so you get all of the good stuff without ultra-processed additives.

Joydays Chocolate Chips Cookies

Yes, these soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies are actually good for you. They're made with added fiber and sweetened with monk fruit and date paste, so there's only 3 grams of sugar per serving and 5 of fiber.

Heyday Canning Tomato Alla Vodka Cannellini Beans

Canned beans may not seem like the most enticing snack on their own, but these flavored beans from Heyday are the exception. The soft and creamy cannellini beans come pre-seasoned in an umami-rich tomato alla vodka sauce, so all you need to do is pop them in the microwave or heat them on the stove for a hot and satisfying snack or meal.

RELATED: Can Eating Beans Help You Lose Weight?

ChocZero Double-Dipped Almonds

You get two for the price of one in this keto-friendly sweet treat. An almond is wrapped in coconut and dark chocolate for a snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Except these chocolate-covered almonds are sweetened with monk fruit, not cane sugar.

"For those with a sweet tooth, look no further than ChocZero prebiotic fiber-packed chocolate coated almonds that offer a whopping 11g of dietary fiber," says Kara Landau, RD.

Koia Protein Shake

This ready-to-drink plant-based shake comes in a range of flavors from sweet vanilla and birthday cake to cold brew coffee and chocolate peanut butter. With 4 grams of added sugar (from organic cane sugar), 18 grams of protein, and 7 grams of fiber, this makes a well-balanced on-the-go drink.

Isle of Us Simply Seed Salad Topper

This crunchy mix includes pumpkin, sesame, fennel, and coriander seeds with a touch of sumac for brightness and maple syrup for just the right amount of sweetness. It's like a savory granola that's delicious straight from the jar, tossed on a salad, or stirred into yogurt.

Struesli Granola

Many store-bought granolas are loaded with refined sugars and grains, but Streusli granola is grain-free, which means it's full of healthy fats and fiber from tiger nuts, pecans, walnuts, and flax seeds. The original flavor gets its toasted color and rich flavor from coconut butter.

Sweet Aya Tiger Nuts

If you haven't tried tiger nuts, you're in for a treat. These are chewy, salty little bites that are more sustainable to produce than your more familiar nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and they offer 6 grams of fiber per serving.

Rind Snacks Coconut Crisps

Rind Snacks reduces food waste by keeping the peels, pith, and skins on all its dried fruit. These coconut crisps are crunchy slivers of whole coconut that you can eat straight from the bag or use as a topping for a smoothie bowl, yogurt, or even a salad (they're unsweetened).

Olipop

"Sometimes, adding fiber to your snacktime involves choosing your beverage wisely," says Manaker. "Unlike traditional sodas that are free from fiber, OLIPOP contains 9 grams of prebiotic fiber per can. Prebiotic fiber is undigestable by humans, but probiotic "good" bacteria can use it as fuel, which is why this type of fiber is so important for gut health. Bonus? This soda only contains 5 grams of sugar per serving (unlike the loads of added sugar found in traditional soda) and it is free from anything artificial."

RELATED: 25 Healthy, Low-Sugar Soda Alternatives

Lundberg Organic Coconut Rice

This rice is perfectly fluffy and ready in less than two minutes for an instant snack. Brown jasmine rice is higher in fiber than white rice, coming in at 4 grams per serving. This microwaveable pack is flavored with real coconut and olive oil, so all it needs is a side of your favorite protein for a bigger meal.

Wasa Mulitgrain Crisp Breads

These sturdy crispbreads are Swedish crackers that make a great blank canvas for your favorite toppings, from mashed avocado (which is also high fiber) to fruit jam. They're made with whole-grain rye flour and rye sourdough, so they have a wonderfully sharp, tangy flavor.

POM Pomegranate Arils

"With a whopping 5 grams of fiber per serving, POM Pomegranate Arils are an easy scoop-and-eat fruit snack that helps people meet their fiber needs easily," says Manaker. "Pomegranate arils are also a natural source of antioxidants, which helps fight free radicals, and they provide micronutrients like Vitamin C and potassium."

Ziba Foods Trail Mix

This has to be the prettiest package of trail mix I've ever seen, and the flavor of the almonds, raisins, apricots, pistachios, and mulberries inside is also unmatched. Ziba uses the highest-quality dried fruit and nuts from the Middle East, and the texture and flavors are reflected in this nutrient-loaded snack.

Saffron Road Crunchy Chickpeas

These chickpeas are as crunchy as they claim to be and highly seasoned to boot. They're every bit as satisfying as a bag of chips, with way more going for them in the nutrient department, including 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving.

Kodiak Oatmeal Cup

Kodiak is known for its high-protein pancake and waffle mixes, but don't sleep on their sweet and simple oatmeal cups. These make a tasty on-the-go breakfast or snack with plenty of fiber and protein to keep you fueled all morning.

Hippeas Chickpeas Puffs

They might look like regular old cheese puffs, but these crunchy bites are made with chickpea and rice flour, so they're higher in fiber and protein with just 1 gram of added sugars. Kids won't be able to tell the difference!

Wonderful Pistachios Sweet Chili Pistachios

Landau is also a big fan of pistachios. "Lightly seasoned in an array of flavors, Wonderful Pistachios are a low-carb, high-fiber snack that will leave you fully satisfied, and only wanting more due to their ridiculously tasty flavors!" she says.

RELATED: The 6 Best High-Protein Nuts You Can Eat

Bada Bean Bada Boom Sea Salt Beans

Broad beans are lesser-known legumes that turn into a delightful crunchy, savory snack. These snack packs from Bada Bean Bada Boom are a great way to sneak more fiber into your diet, whether you're at school snack time or need an afternoon pick-me-up at work.

"Roasted broad bean snacks are a delicious savory snack that offers a blend of naturally occurring protein and dietary fiber to keep you full for hours," says Landau. "They can satisfy an afternoon craving for a crunchy snack and there's a flavor to suit everyone's liking, ranging from mesquite BBQ to zesty ranch, and even sweet sriracha."

Dave's Killer Bread Everything Bagels

These bagels are loaded with seeds and whole grains, which contribute to the 5 grams of fiber per piece. Chia, sesame, flax, and poppy seeds make a mean combination of flavor and nutrition. Grab a Dave's Killer Bread bagel to start your day with plenty of fiber and 13 grams of protein.

Confetti Snacks Mushroom Chips

These mushroom chips are coated in an irresistible truffle seasoning that tastes decadent but is totally snackable. With 6 grams of fiber and no added sugar, this is a great way to get more veggies in your diet on the go.

Jack & Friends Jack & Tom Jerky

This plant-based jerky is made with jackfruit, tomatoes, poblano peppers, and a seasoning blend that packs a kick. It's also amped up with pea protein to offer 7 grams of vegan protein per serving.

Daily Harvest Smoothies

Carolina Schneider, MS, RD notes that these ready-to-blend smoothies, which are now available in grocery stores, contain a "rich blend of bananas, nut and seed butter, and flax seeds, providing a satisfying 15 grams of plant protein and 11 grams of fiber (which covers 39% of your daily needs!) The combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats in this smoothie not only makes it a tasty and indulgent snack but one that keeps you satisfied for longer."

RELATED: 7 Healthiest Store-Bought Smoothies—and 4 To Avoid

Veggiecopia Black Bean Dip

Beans are a great source of fiber, and in this snack, they're pureed into a creamy, savory dip that travels well. It's made with a few simple ingredients, including black beans, tomato paste, and roasted garlic, plus the dip is shelf-stable, so there's no refrigeration required.

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The post 38 Best Store-Bought High-Fiber Snacks appeared first on Eat This Not That.

From classic tomato to tomatillo-based dips and from thick and hearty bean salsas to sweet, fruity mixtures, the world of jarred salsas is vast and varied. Anyone who has shopped for salsa in the grocery store knows how overwhelming the options can be.

Aside from the base ingredients, salsas vary in spice level and texture. Some shoppers might want a super chunky tomato dip that packs a punch of heat, while others prefer a light and smooth salsa without a pepper in sight. No matter your preference, there is a salsa for you at the grocery store.

Not everyone has the time or inclination to personally work their way through the salsa aisle to find the best dip—but I do. To find the best-tasting salsa, I sampled six dips from the most popular and easy-to-find brands.

I tried each salsa on its own and with a tortilla chip (my favorites are Somos Unusually Thick & Crunchy Tortilla Chips) to asses flavor, texture, spice level, and how well the dip adheres to a chip. The best salsa is not too salty (tortilla chips have plenty of salt) and has staying power after a dip. The salsa shouldn't be so watery as to slide right off the chip, nor should it be so chunky that a tortilla chip cracks under the load.

Find the perfect salsa for your needs below. Here's how these six grocery store jarred salsas stacked up, ranked in descending order.

Tostitos Restaurant Style Medium Salsa

As a big fan of Tostitos regular salsa, I was disappointed by the texture and flavor of the brand's restaurant-style dip. This blend is made with onions and jalapeños in addition to two varieties of tomatoes.

The look: There's so much liquid in the jar that the tiny bits of tomato, onion, and jalapeño appear to be floating. Rather than having a cohesive texture, the components of the salsa are easily distinguished from one another.

The taste: Water is the second ingredient in this product, and, unfortunately, that's reflected in the flavor and texture. This is a very loose, thin, and watery dip that doesn't stick well to a chip. Compared to the other products I tested, it's bland. It does, however, taste more like a fresh pico de gallo than a savory jarred salsa.

RELATED: 12 Store-Bought Salsas With the Highest Quality Ingredients

365 By Whole Foods Market Thick & Chunky Medium Salsa

This store-brand salsa is perfectly fine but not memorable. It's fully organic and flavored with onion, jalapeños, garlic powder, and cayenne.

The look: This salsa is finely puréed until it's nearly smooth. There are tiny visible chunks of perfectly minced white onion, but you won't find any meaty pieces of tomato in this sauce. It's good for dipping, though, and leaves a thin, uniform coating on a tortilla chip.

The taste: This salsa tasted the sweetest of the bunch. Though it doesn't have any added sugars listed in the ingredients, it does contain tomato juice, which can be sweet. I prefer my salsas savory and umami-rich, so this was not my favorite.

RELATED: 15 Best Dips at Trader Joe's Right Now, According to Customers

Fronterra Tomatillo Salsa

This was the only tomatillo-based salsa I tried, and it had a different flavor and look than the tomato-forward dips. In addition to fire-roasted tomatillos, this dip is made with tomatoes, onions, and serrano peppers.

The look: This salsa also has water listed as a prominent ingredient, and it has a thin, liquid texture. It's also grassy green, thanks to the tomatillos, and has been very finely puréed into a uniform texture. You can see specks of black from where the tomatillos and tomatoes were fire-roasted, as well as pepper seeds, presumably from the serranos.

The taste: This wasn't the most flavorful of the salsas I tried, but it did have a unique smoky flavor and offered a bit of heat at the back of the throat. This is a popular product for making crockpot chicken, so it may be better used as a cooking sauce.

RELATED: There's Only One Tortilla Chip You Need For the Big Game

Siete Mild Salsa Roja

This salsa roja comes in a squat 4-ounce jar, which may not be enough if you're hosting a Super Bowl party, but I appreciate the smaller size because I never seem to be able to finish an 8-ounce jar of salsa before it goes bad. This salsa also has a noticeably shorter ingredient list than most of the jars I sampled.

The look: This salsa has more texture to it than many puréed options. There are small (but not teensy) chunks of tomato, jalapeños, onions, and garlic in the mix. You can see that the tomatoes were roasted, as there are specks of blackened tomato skin throughout.

The taste: This salsa has a deep concentrated tomato flavor. It's a touch sweet (but not nearly as sweet as the 365 brand product) and salty (it has a higher sodium content than most of the salsas in this test). Roasting the tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and umami, which are both heightened in this dip by fresh lemon juice and sea salt. You also get a nice herby finish from cilantro.

RELATED: The 10 Best & Worst Store-Bought Dips, According to Dietitians

Green Mountain Gringo Medium Salsa

This salsa is made with a blend of tomatoes and tomatillos, three kinds of fresh peppers, as well as both cilantro and parsley. It's full of flavor and has a nice meaty texture that you'll want to scoop right up with a tortilla chip.

The look: This salsa is for chunk lovers. There are generous pieces of diced tomato and tomatillo interspersed with green peppers (pastillas, serranos, and jalapeño) and nubs of real garlic. It has a rustier red color than some of the other salsas I sampled.

The taste: This dip has an almost fresh flavor, if that's possible from a shelf-stable jarred sauce. The combination of tomatoes, peppers, and real herbs gives this dip a homemade touch, and the juicy chunks are super satisfying to scoop up with a chip.

RELATED: 8 Fast-Food Chains That Can Cater Your Big Game Watch Party

Late July Medium Salsa

Late July's thick and chunky medium organic salsa hits the right notes of flavor, heat, and texture. It's fully organic and contains bell peppers, two kinds of fresh chilies, and both garlic and garlic powder, in addition to the tomato base.

The look: This salsa has a bold red color and a texture that's both loose and chunky. The tomato purée separates a bit from the meaty chunks of diced tomato, so you get the best of both worlds. You can also see (and smell) the fresh garlic throughout the mixture.

The taste: This salsa is perfectly spiced and seasoned. It's not overly salty and certainly not sweet. It has a touch of heat that keeps you coming back for more, and the large chunks of tomato taste fresh and juicy. This is a crowd-pleasing salsa made for all taste buds.

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The post I Tried 6 Store-Bought Salsas & the Best Was Chunky and Fresh Tasting appeared first on Eat This Not That.

It's not difficult to blend up a batch of homemade guac with fresh avocados, lime juice, cilantro, and salt, but sometimes you want a ready-to-go guac that doesn't rely on the ripeness of grocery store avocados. Or, maybe you want packable avocado dip to stash in a lunch box for work or school. After all, guacamole is a fresh, whole-food snack that's high in fiber and healthy fats.

There are plenty of options for store-bought guacamole at the grocery store, and they come in all types—from jalapeño-packed spicy dips to smooth purées you can squeeze from a pouch. It's hard to know which kind of guacamole will taste the best with your tortilla chips or spread over toast.

The ingredient lists on store-bought guacamoles can vary. Some are made with the bare minimum ingredients of avocado and lime juice, while others are preserved with ascorbic acid and stabilized with gums. These additives might help the dip retain its bright green color, but might they also affect flavor?

To help sort through any confusion about the best guacamole to buy at the store, I tested six of the most popular grocery store guacamole products to see how they held up in looks, ingredients, and taste. Here are the six best store-bought guacamoles, in descending order.

Cabo Fresh Organic Guacamole

This tub of guacamole is made from USDA-certified organic ingredients. According to the company, 95 percent of its dip is nothing but organic Hass avocados. The remaining 5 percent of the guac is made up of onion, garlic powder, salt, sugar, citric acid, ascorbic acid, xanthan gum, and jalapeño peppers.

The look: This guac is pale green and slightly more yellow than other dips I tried. It has no visible mix-ins, so you can't eyeball the onion or jalapeños that are listed on the ingredient panel. The texture is nearly completely smooth, thick, and uniform.

The taste: I found this guac to taste less fresh and vibrant than some of the others I tried. It had the slightly aged flavor of an avocado that you allowed to ripen for a few days too long. There was also no trace of heat from the jalapeños.

RELATED: 8 Fast-Food Chains That Serve the Freshest Guacamole

Yucatan Classic Guacamole

This organic guacamole from Yucatan has a nearly identical nutritional panel to the Cabo Fresh guac and very similar ingredients. The flavor and texture were also quite similar.

The look: This vibrant light green guac is mostly smooth and has a light, fluffy texture that adheres well to chips. The small amount of onion and jalapeño is not visible.

The taste: Yucatan's classic guacamole has a fresher flavor than Cabo Fresh, but it's mild. It lacks the spice and herby flavors I like in homemade guac.

Hungryroot Avocado Crema

This twist on a traditional guacamole is made with vinegar, olive oil, and lime juice. It has a simple ingredient list and a flavor that sets it apart from the guacamoles I tried. The added oil also makes this crema higher in calories, fat, and saturated fat when compared to the classic guacs.

The look: This crema is smooth, like it was made in a blender. It can be easily squeezed out of the pouch it comes in. There's a bit of separation in the mixture, as the olive oil is visible on the surface of the spread.

The taste: This crema is both richer and more acidic than any of the other guacs. It has an almost creamy flavor, likely due to the added olive oil and the way it's puréed. The white vinegar is also distinct, and my first taste was almost puckeringly sour, maybe because the vinegar rose to the top of the pouch. After giving it a good stir, however, the flavors became more balanced.

RELATED: 12 Store-Bought Salsas With the Highest Quality Ingredients

365 by Whole Foods Market Traditional Guacamole

This guacamole from Whole Foods comes in an 8-ounce tub or in individual 2-ounce cups, which are convenient for packing on the go. It has a slightly longer ingredient list than the other guacs I sampled. As a result, the flavor is more interesting.

The look: The guac is fairly smooth, with no large chunks, but it does have visible specks of color, presumably from the jalapeños, dehydrated red bell peppers and onions, and cilantro flakes. It has a fresh green color and a creamy, almost frosting-like texture.

The taste: This has a more nuanced flavor than the first three on this list. The ingredients other than avocado shine through, including a subtle spice from jalapeño peppers (that's far from overwhelming) and herbiness from the cilantro. There's something almost warm in the flavor of this guacamole.

Wholly Guacamole Classic

This guacamole from Wholly Guacamole has the freshest avocado flavor. It's a richer dip than the others, with a bit more fat and calories per serving, but it's also more satisfying and reminds me more of freshly made guacamole from a restaurant.

The look: This guac is a pretty pastel green with large, visible chunks of diced whole avocado. You can tell this dip is made with perfectly ripe fruit, as the chunks have a nice firm texture that's not stringy or too mushy. They're easy to scoop up with a chip.

The taste: I love the fresh, pure avocado flavor of this guac. Despite coming from a sealed plastic container, it could easily be mistaken for homemade guac if you transferred it to a serving bowl. Though it's not particularly spicy or herby, it's perfectly seasoned, not too salty, and has a nice kick of acidity from vinegar. The garlic also comes through, but it's not overpowering.

RELATED: 10 Best Tortilla Chips—and 3 to Avoid, According to Dietitians

Good Foods Chunky Guacamole

I loved that this guacamole was fresh-tasting and that the creamy avocado was complemented by juicy tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, and lime juice. It comes in five sizes ranging from a 7-ounce tub to a bulk-sized three-pack of 10-ounce tubs.

The look: Though I found that the plastic lid was difficult to remove on the mini single-serving cup that I sampled for this test, the dip inside was creamy, chunky, and specked with color from all of its delicious inclusions. The tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños are all immediately visible, so you can see what you're eating, which is always a good sign.

The taste: As I expected based on the looks, this guac also had a more interesting flavor than the more avocado-forward options I tried. You can taste the subtle sweetness from the tomatoes and the bite from the red onion. There's a background note of heat from jalapeños, but I especially love the flavor of real lime that comes through, as opposed to the vinegar that most other store-bought guacamoles rely on for acid. This is a winning guac that I'd happily eat as a snack or serve to friends (they'll never know it's not homemade).

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The post I Tried 6 Store-Bought Guacamoles & the Best Tasted Homemade appeared first on Eat This Not That.

But, there are times when you want fresh-out-of-oven blueberry muffins to impress house guests, or for yourself, without having to turn your kitchen upside down or use every bowl, whisk, and pan in the process. That's when a high-quality, multipurpose baking mix comes in handy.

There are dozens of options for ready-to-mix powders in the baking aisle of the grocery store, including many for pancakes and waffles. You'll also find your classic white and chocolate cake mixes and a few cookie and brownie mixes. Then, there are the all-purpose and muffin mixes that you can turn into a variety of oven- and skillet-baked treats, including scones, biscuits, pancakes, and quick breads.

To make a quick treat, you stir the dry powder with some combination of water, milk, eggs, melted butter, or oil. The beauty is that you need one bowl, one spoon, and a baking pan or sheet.

If you're looking for a baking mix to keep in the pantry that produces a variety of great-looking treats that are also delicious, you're in luck. I've personally baked with and tasted five of the most popular baking mixes from leading brands.

Here's how these best-selling baking mixes stack up, in descending order:

Jiffy Banana Muffin Mix

This small box of baking mix makes up to six regular-sized muffins or a short stack of pancakes. It's made with "natural and artificial flavors" and contains 19 grams of sugar per serving, which is alarmingly close to the recommended total daily intake of 25 grams.

The look: These muffins didn't rise or form an attractive dome on top, unlike some of the others in my tests. They're lighter colored than other muffins and have a flatter, bumpier, and overall less uniform top. The crumb was airy and honeycomb-like, not dense or particularly consistent when compared to the muffins pictured on the package.

The taste: I didn't mind the less uniform look of these muffins, which simply looked homemade compared to the more "perfectly" shaped treats I baked with other mixes. However, the overly artificial banana taste is not for me. These muffins tasted more like banana-flavored Laffy Taffy than freshly baked banana bread. I was disappointed because I like the classic Jiffy mix for Saturday morning pancakes.

RELATED: 7 Best Trader Joe's Baking Mixes, According to Customers

Pillsbury Banana Flavored Quick Bread and Muffin Mix

Another baking mix infused with banana flavors, this box from Pillsbury makes one standard quick bread or 12 regular-sized muffins using water, oil, and eggs. It gets its fruit flavor from dried bananas and artificial flavorings.

The look: These were the most uniform muffins I baked. They rose evenly and formed nearly identical domes on top. The edges turned slightly darker and crisper, while the top stayed golden and light.

The taste: These muffins were tasty but quite sweet. They didn't have the same punch-you-in-the-face banana flavor as the Jiffy muffins, but you still get the essence of banana. They were sweeter than I like and would be more of a dessert than a breakfast item for me.

RELATED: 14 Baking Staples You Should Always Buy at Costco

Simple Mills Organic Nut and Seed Flour All-Purpose Baking Mix

This baking mix, made with a blend of nut and seed powders along with arrowroot, may have the healthiest nutritional panel of any of the mixes in this test. With just 5 grams of fat from nuts, no saturated fat, and 3 grams of fiber per serving, this is a well-balanced baking mix that also happens to be gluten-free. It did, however, require more ingredients than any of the other mixes I tested (eggs, water or milk, butter, and optional salt).

The look: I followed the recipe on the back of the box to make 12 drop biscuits. I know gluten-free baked goods tend to fall apart, but I was impressed by how well these treats stayed together. They were a bit lumpy and ridged on top, unlike the smooth biscuits shown on the packaging, and they had a darker brown color and wheaty smell that reminded me of a whole wheat biscuit (ironic, given the lack of wheat in the mix). These biscuits didn't rise or change shape much in the oven.

The taste: Compared to the other baked goods in this test, which I stirred together using sugar-loaded mixes, these biscuits from Simple Mills tasted the healthiest. My biscuits still had some pockets of melted butter that added richness, but if you're looking for a sweet treat, you'd need to serve these biscuits with a dollop of fruit jam.

RELATED: 9 Baking Secrets They Only Teach You in Pastry School

Wegmans All-Purpose Buttermilk Baking Mix

This baking mix can be used to make biscuits, dumplings, or pancakes. It has a touch of buttermilk powder, which sets it apart from other mixes in this test, and it has a minimal 2 grams of sugar, so you can easily take this mix in a sweet or savory direction.

The look: I made drop biscuits with the Wegmans mix, which came out lumpy and uneven. I followed the instructions, which emphasized the importance of not overmixing or overhandling the dough to avoid turning it tough, but as a result, the biscuits weren't attractive. They did take on a nice golden color, however.

The taste: Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to avoid overmixing the dough, these biscuits were tougher and chewier than I prefer. Nevertheless, they still tasted great. They had a freshly baked buttery flavor that would be delicious alongside barbecue or with eggs for a breakfast sandwich.

RELATED: 5 Best Baking Supplies To Buy at Costco, According to a Baker

King Arthur Gluten-Free Muffin Mix

I was surprised by the flavor, integrity, and good looks of the muffins that this gluten-free baking mix produced. With 0 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, and a more modest 15 grams of sugar, this mix is highly versatile and won't send you for a sugar crash.

The look: The recipe on the back of the box included instructions for adding mix-ins like fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. I love blueberry muffins, so I added frozen wild blueberries to my batter. The berries left some marble-like blue swirls on the tops of the muffins as well as extra volume, resulting in large, fluffy well-shaped pastries.

The taste: These blueberry muffins had a springy, airy texture and held their shape well. The crumb was uniform and the blueberries were evenly dispersed throughout the muffins, rather than clustered on the bottom, which can happen if the batter is too thin. I liked that these muffins weren't overly sweet and had an almost creamy flavor complimented by the tart blueberries.

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The post I Tried 5 Popular Baking Mixes & the Best Was Tasty and Versatile appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Fortunately, packaged food companies have become more creative at sneaking "hidden" veggies into snacks, meals, and treats that look and taste like familiar packaged foods. From crunchy, salty bagged snacks to seemingly decadent desserts, it's easier than ever to find grocery store items brimming with secret added vegetables.

Why might you want to grab a bag of veggie-based chips instead of tortilla or potato chips? "Vegetables often contain fiber as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals that help our bodies function at peak performance," says Shandi Trout, RDN. "Increasing your vegetable intake can help with reducing bloating, weight loss, lowering cholesterol, improving mental health, improving insulin resistance, and balancing hormones." Trout recommends that her clients add an extra vegetable at every meal to reach at least 30 grams of fiber per day.

The amount of veggies you eat isn't the only thing to keep in mind. Eating a greater variety of vegetables "will increase your gut health and provide a variety of essential nutrients," notes Trout.

Not all store-bought items that contain extra vegetables are good for you, though. "Often foods with "hidden" vegetables come with high amounts of added sugars, sodium, and highly processed ingredients, which can counter the benefits of vegetables by increasing cholesterol, blood sugar, and creating an imbalance in gut health," says Trout.

So to help you steer clear of misleading marketing claims, we've compiled a list of the best store-bought foods made with hidden vegetables to boost your nutrient intake without sacrificing flavor. Read on, and for more, don't miss 9 Best High-Fiber Vegetables—Ranked!

Veggies Made Great Double Chocolate Muffins

These rich, fudgy chocolate muffins are secretly packed with zucchini and carrots, which add flavor, moisture, and extra nutrients, including iron, potassium, and calcium. The frozen muffins can be heated in less than a minute for a healthy on-the-go breakfast.

RELATED: 9 Chocolate Bars That Dietitians Love

Tia Lupita Cactus Tortilla Chips

These grain-free tortilla chips are perfect for dunking into your favorite salsa, piling high with nacho toppings, or making mini tostadas for a party. They're extra crisp and thick and made with nopales, a cactus variety, instead of corn or wheat flour. The chips also get extra fiber from chia seeds.

RELATED: 10 Best Tortilla Chips—and 3 to Avoid, According to Dietitians

Caulipower Veggie Stone-Fired Cauliflower Crust Pizza

This frozen pizza is every bit as cheesy, savory, and crispy as any, but the crust just so happens to be made with cauliflower. And on top? Plenty of bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, so you get even more veggie bang for your buck.

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Simple Mills Cheddar Pop Mmms

These cheesy snack bites look like your typical processed snack food, but they're made with butternut squash and red beans, not wheat flour. That makes them gluten-free and full of added nutrients.

Wildfare Spinach Fettuccine

Spinach in your pasta adds a bright green color and extra nutrients, including iron and fiber. This fettuccine from Wildfare has the chewy texture and buttery flavor you expect from high-quality dried pasta. If spinach isn't your thing, the brand also makes delicious beet, broccoli, tomato, and black carrot fettuccine.

Dr. Praeger's Broccoli Littles

These star-shaped frozen bites are a sure way to encourage little ones to eat their veggies. They have a short ingredient list that starts with broccoli, potatoes, and onions, plus egg whites to bind things together and add protein.

Fuel For Fire Sweet Potato Apple Smoothie Pouch

If you prefer your smoothies to be portable (and blender-free), you'll love the convenience of these squeezable fruit- and veggie-packed snacks. The sweet potato apple flavor is lightly spiced with cinnamon and gets extra protein from whey protein isolate.

Registered dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer Erica Giovinazzo, MS, RD says, "Fuel for Fire is a snack I recommend to all my clients. It's a perfect way for them to get clean protein and carbs on the go!"

The Only Bean Edamame Fettuccine Pasta

It's hard to believe that the only ingredient in this vibrant green dried pasta is edamame. Keep a box of this pasta in your pantry, and you'll always be able to whip up a high-protein, high-fiber dinner with hidden veggies (yes, beans still count as a veggie!).

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Wholly Veggie Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

These wings are every bit as crispy, spicy, and sink-your-teeth-into-good as real chicken, but they're made with panko-crusted cauliflower instead. They're gluten-free and come with a perfectly spiced buffalo sauce for dipping that makes them great for game day.

Milton's Craft Bakers Cauliflower Crust Pizza

This frozen pizza is topped with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and onions along with three melty cheeses. It stays delightfully crispy (nothing floppy about it) and it's nearly impossible to detect the cauliflower hidden in the crust, though it's the first ingredient.

Growee Foods Curry Zucchini Dip & Spread

This all-purpose condiment is delicious smeared onto a sandwich or dunked with crudites for a truly veggie-packed appetizer. It's made with pureed zucchini and bell pepper plus sunflower seeds for a rich, creamy texture without any dairy.

Good Foods Plant-Based Tzatziki-Style Dip

This fresh dip is creamy, light, and delicious with kebabs, pita, or drizzled over a Mediterranean grain bowl. The base is made from cauliflower, almonds, and cashews, so you get all the texture and creaminess of a yogurt-based dip without any dairy. Of course, there are chunks of fresh cucumber for the classic tzatziki experience.

Solely Spaghetti Squash Pasta

Spaghetti squash is a popular low-carb alternative to regular pasta. Solely has taken the work out of preparing spaghetti squash at home and made it available all year long. This pasta is made entirely from organic dehydrated spaghetti squash so it's ready to eat after boiling for just 5 minutes.

Hope Foods Red Pepper Hummus

Hummus is a popular dip made with chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil, and this version from Hope Foods has all of those staple ingredients plus red bell peppers for added sweetness. It's a nice addition to an appetizer platter with crudites, a sandwich, or on toast for breakfast.

Kevin's Natural Foods Macaroni & Cheese with Cauliflower Pasta

Cauliflower just keeps popping up when it comes to store-bought foods with hidden vegetables, and here it is again, this time turned into a luscious mac and cheese. This is a heat-and-eat meal that takes the guesswork out of a veggie-packed dinner. The cauliflower is actually in the pasta, not the sauce, so you get all the indulgence of a rich real cheese sauce with the bonus of cruciferous veggies in your noodles.

Strong Roots Zucchini Hash Browns

Hash browns are a breakfast favorite, and even better if they're in the freezer and can be heated to crispy perfection in the air fryer or oven. These aren't your typical white potato hash browns, however. They're made with zucchini, spinach, and onion in addition to the must-have shredded potato.

Primal Kitchen Plant-Based Queso Dip

This queso dip has the umami and color of your typical cheese sauce, but it's made with tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and jalapeños. It makes a great dip or sauce for dairy-free nachos over Tia Lupita's chips.

Goodles Cheddy Mac

Not only does this boxed mac and cheese have fun packaging, but it's also made with vegetable extracts and chickpea protein for added nutrition, so you get the flavor and nostalgia of your favorite mac and cheese with 14 grams of protein and 7 grams of dietary fiber: a win-win.

Little Spoon Pizzalicious Veggie Loops

These bite-sized rings are made from chickpeas with added spinach and tomato. They have a salty Italian flavor that kids love and offer more protein than many crunchy packaged snacks for little ones.

Freshe Sicilian Caponata

This cute can looks like a tin of sardines or tuna, but it's a full meal featuring butternut squash, roasted vegetables, crunchy almonds, and herbs along with wild tuna. This is a great way to get your protein and omega-3 fats on the go.

Snow Days Grain-Free Pizza Bites

These frozen bites are a throwback to pizza-stuffed pastries you may have had after school growing up. But one look at the ingredients shows that Snow Day's version has evolved. These pockets have hidden veggies in the pizza sauce, including bell peppers, carrots, and sweet potato.

YOU NEED THIS Churro Puffs

Puffs that taste like a mini churro? Made with butternut squash? It sounds too good to be true, but believe it! YOU NEED THIS makes adorable tiny churros dusted with cinnamon that get their sweetness from squash. There's even extra spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, and shiitake mushrooms in there, too!

Registered dietitian and certified personal trainer Wan Na Chun, RD "loves this brand because they use real vegetables and come in a variety of flavors including ranch, cinnamon churro, and nacho. The hidden veggies in these chips can help to increase nutrient intake, including vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber."

Seemore La Dolce Beet-A Sausages

These pork and beet sausages look as good as they taste. Their eye-catching pink hue makes them a delightful addition to pasta, pizza, or your next grill fest. Beets add a slightly sweet flavor that compliments the other classic Italian sausage seasonings.

Annie's Homegrown Vegan & Gluten Free Mac

Makers of the iconic bunny-shaped pasta Annie's has replaced all of the dairy in their signature creamy sauce with pumpkin and sweet potato powders. As a result, this gluten-free boxed mac and cheese has less than 1 gram of fat and no saturated fat.

Otamot Spicy Sauce

Chun says that she loves tomato sauces with added vegetables "such as tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, sweet peppers, and basil. The added vegetables in pasta sauce make it easier to incorporate vegetables into your pasta dinners."

Otamot makes savory all-purpose sauces loaded with way more than tomatoes. Its spicy sauce contains peppers, carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash, onion, garlic, and even shiitake mushrooms for extra umami.

Remedy Organics Super Ube Glow Wellness Shake

This creamy protein shake gets its pretty purple hue from ube, a purple variety of sweet potato that's loaded with antioxidants. The drink is also made with pomegranate extract, almond milk, and gut-healthy prebiotic fiber that contributes to its impressive 7 grams of fiber per serving.

RELATED: 7 Healthiest Store-Bought Smoothies—and 4 To Avoid

Good Food Choice Plant-Based Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

These vegan meatballs with savory tomato sauce come packed in a jar so they're ready to heat and enjoy in minutes. The meatballs are made with extra beets and onions, and the sauce gets bonus veggies from carrots and onions.

Wild Zora Carrot Cake Grain-Free Cereal

This instant hot cereal makes it easy and tasty to start your day with a dose of vegetables. It's flavored like decadent carrot cake and contains dried carrots, as well as coconut, walnuts, and almond flour for a rich, satisfying breakfast.

Kidfresh Chicken Meatballs

This is a frozen dinner that kids and adults can both get behind. The chicken meat is enhanced with celery, carrots, and onions and bound with whole-grain breadcrumbs. It makes a light and easy dinner or after-school snack.

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The post 29 Best Buys to Sneak More Veggies Into Your Diet appeared first on Eat This Not That.

You'll find fried rice dishes in cuisines across Asia, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and they're made with seafood, chicken, beef, pork, eggs, or tofu. The vegetable inclusions range from green onions and bell peppers to green beans and cabbage.

And everything is coated in a deeply savory brown sauce that's often made with soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Sometimes you'll find a spicy addition like fresh hot chili peppers or dried pepper flakes in the mix as well. The endless list of possibilities means that it's pretty easy to find a style of fried rice that suits your palate.

If you're cutting back on dining out or ordering in and don't want to do the chopping and stir-frying yourself, there are dozens of grocery store options for frozen fried rice that are ready in minutes using your microwave, oven, or stovetop.

To help cut through any confusion in the freezer aisle, I picked up seven of the most popular and easy-to-find frozen fried rice brands at several grocery stores. I prepared each product in the microwave, according to the package instructions. Then, I tasted and assessed each fried rice dish for flavor, ingredient quality, texture, and appearance. While some of the fried rice on my plate turned out mushy and sticky, others tasted freshly made, with crisp veggies, dry grains, and a light, umami-rich sauce.

Here's how seven of the most popular frozen fried rice products rank, in descending order:

Stouffer's Chicken Fried Rice

This fried rice comes in a family-style portion that includes four, 1-cup servings in a large microwave- and oven-safe paper tray. The long-grain white rice is tossed with white meat chicken, peas, chunks of carrots, and scrambled eggs along with a brown soy-based sauce.

The look: The sauce for this fried rice sits on top, so you have to give the dish a thorough stir after heating. I found this fried rice to be fairly bland-looking because it was light on veggies. Without the pops of color from carrots and peppers, the rice had a monochromatic brown hue that wasn't appetizing. Plus, the thick sauce coating everything made it almost impossible to tell the difference between a chunk of chicken and a scrambled egg.

The taste: Because of the family-sized tray, this rice has to be cooked in the microwave or oven for more than 10 minutes. That's a long time for tender par-cooked rice, which became gloppy and gooey after heating. The gelatinous texture was hard to get past, and the dominant flavor of the dish was saltiness.

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Healthy Choice Chicken Fried Rice

Healthy Choice's chicken fried rice is a steamed meal, so it comes in a two-layer microwaveable bowl with the sauce underneath and the chicken, vegetables, and rice mixture in a perforated bowl on top. This way the sauce steams the vegetables in the microwave. After heating, you simply add the rice to the sauce bowl underneath and stir everything.

The look: The rice had a fresher, more vibrant look before it was combined with the sauce. However, there seemed to be either too much sauce or too much liquid from the steamed vegetables because the whole dish turned into a soft, mushy mixture after combining. Still, this fried rice bowl had more vegetables (carrot cubes and edamame) than Stouffer's.

The taste: This sauce was quite sweet, thanks to 8 grams of added sugar. It also had a strong nutty flavor from sesame oil, which I didn't mind, but some people may not like. The chicken was moist and tender, but the egg pieces disappeared into the sauce.

P.F. Chang's Frozen Chicken Fried Rice

The national restaurant chain P.F. Chang's has a line of frozen entrees distributed through ConAgra Foods Inc., including chicken fried rice, made with jasmine rice, carrots, green onions, and edamame. The dish is microwaved in a paper bowl and comes premixed with a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, white wine, and seasonings.

The look: This rice bowl had a better balance of grains, chicken, and vegetables than Stouffer's or Healthy Choice. The sauce was also thicker and darker in color. The chicken is cut into large fork-able chunks that didn't dry out in the microwave.

The taste: I liked that this sauce wasn't too sweet or syrupy. I appreciated the vegetables, but the carrots were cut in seemingly random shapes and sizes, so the small bits became overcooked and mushy.

RELATED: 10 Best Costco Frozen Meals Available Now, According to Members

Trader Joe's Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice with Kimchi

This bagged fried rice from Trader Joe's was unlike any of the others I tasted. First, because it featured beef as the protein, and second because it had a Korean flavor profile, rather than Chinese. It's also on the higher end of fat, sodium, carbs, and protein per serving.

The look: This rice had a more yellow tone than others and plenty of thinly sliced bulgogi beef throughout. It's hard to distinguish the cabbage kimchi by looks alone, maybe because it's so finely chopped, but the dish had some large chunks of green beans throughout.

The taste: This fried rice has a deep, meaty flavor that I didn't find in any other dish. The green beans were a bit bland and some became soggy in the microwave. The beef was flavorful, mostly like soy sauce, but several of the larger pieces became dry and a little stringy. I liked the acidity of kimchi in the dish.

Trader Joe's Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice

It's no secret that Trader Joe's frozen food section is extensive, and the cult-favorite grocery store has several frozen fried rice options to try. This version is a Thai-flavored rice dish made with a mix of veggies and hot chili peppers with tiny shrimp for protein.

The look: This fried rice from Trader Joe's has more color than most of the others. The rice comes fully combined with the sauce, so it's not sticky, gloppy, or overly thick. This rice is on the drier side and has specs of red from thinly sliced hot peppers and green from green peas, which became quite shriveled in the microwave.

The taste: If you like heat, this Thai-style fried rice is for you. The visible rings of Thai red chilis throughout the dish add some serious heat that lingers after dinner. The small shrimp add a distinct seafood-y flavor to the bowl that's different from any of the other fried rice products I sampled. It also contains baby corn for a touch of sweetness from a source other than sugar.

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365 by Whole Foods Market Chicken Fried Rice

This chicken fried rice from the Whole Foods store brand is sold in a 20-ounce bag with premixed sauce, so you can dispense only as much as you need at a time, unlike other preportioned frozen entrees.

The look: This fried rice has impressively sized pieces of chicken and scrambled eggs in the mix, along with long-grain rice and tiny bits of carrots, bell peppers, and green peas. The grains stayed separated and dry after cooking.

The taste: I would have loved more vegetables in this rice dish (they're the last ingredients listed), but the large pieces of chicken make it a more satisfying option, and it's not too sweet or salty. Though this bagged rice contains sesame oil, it's not nearly as overwhelming a flavor as I found in other options.

Grain Trust Hibachi Fried Rice

This vegan fried rice may not contain the chicken or eggs of other products on this list, but it makes up for it with ample vegetables and a light, homemade-tasting sauce. Plus, it makes a great base to add your favorite proteins, from tofu to steak.

The look: The grains in this fried rice are short and separated, not sticky or mushy. It has a light brown sauce that evenly coats the entire dish, which includes generous pieces of onions, bell peppers, carrots, and peas.

The taste: I enjoyed the savory sauce that wasn't overly sweet, salty, or garlicky. It's a well-balanced frozen dish that has just a touch of sweetness from sugar and nuttiness from sesame oil. It would make a great side dish or base for a rice bowl.

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The post I Tried 7 Frozen Fried Rice Brands & the Best Is Savory & Full of Veggies appeared first on Eat This Not That.