Results of the Grocery Basket Makeover Contest

Family Cirlce
ALLISON BAKER

Hi Momsters,

Thanks so much for all your great responses! Registered dietician Robyn Flipse chose three grocery lists and gave them a healthier makeover. See her nutritious swaps below (each list is in a different post). If yours was chosen, you'll be hearing from us soon to receive your free products!

List #1 "vickster2"
Her Top Ten Summer Staples and Robyn's Swaps

1. Apples: Bagged apples are typically smaller in size, perfect for younger children and anyone with smaller appetite so there's no waste.
2. Bread (usually whole wheat on sale): As long as the first ingredient is whole wheat flour, you’re getting good value. Those resistant to try whole wheat might like Wonder Whole Grain White bread to get started.
3. Lunchmeat (honeyham or turkey): The Healthy Ones brand has both varieties packed in separate pouches in a single plastic tub with no fillers, 97% fat free and no artificial flavors.
4. Snack cakes (for husband and kids): Look in the bakery section for mini muffins made with fruit or chips to satisfy their sweet tooth with something a bit more wholesome.
5. Seasonal fruit on sale (berries, melon): Fresh, seasonal fruit is always a great choice, and you can freeze extra berries when in season for winter enjoyment and buy frozen berries all year round.
6. Pop: Keep some new Coca-Cola Minis chilled for those smaller thirsts – with only 90 calories each, you can still enjoy the taste you love but in moderation.
7. Crackers: For better nutritional and price value, use Cheerios or Chex in place of popular mini crackers or Reduced Fat Triscuits for whole grain choice.
8. Chips, popcorn, cheese puffs snacks: Buy family-sized bags of low fat chips and let the kids help pre-portion them into single serving zip-lock bags for cost savings and a helpful lesson on portion control. Make your own popcorn from kernels using a microwave popper, and you can avoid all the added salt and artificial flavoring and coloring.
9. Milk: 1% low fat or fat free milk is recommended for most adults and children over the age of two years.
10. Yogurt : Buy low fat plain or vanilla yogurt in a quart container and serve it over fruit for the best cost/serving and to save on individual plastic containers.

List #2 "mrsalbertson"
Her Top Ten Summer Staples and Robyn's Swaps

1. 2% Milk: 1% or fat free milk is recommended for most adults and children over the age of 2 years.
2. Apple Jacks cereal: To get more whole grain goodness and less sugar, mix it with Cheerios or Chex.
3. Spaghetti-Os: Combine leftover pasta with marinara and  put zip-lock freezer bags to lay flat in freezer and easily thaw and reheat in microwave.
4. Chips: Buy 6” corn tortillas, cut them into 6ths, spritz with oil and bake until crisp for a healthier and more economical corn chip.
5. Chocolate Crème Oreo cookies: Make your own sandwich cookies with Nabisco Chocolate Graham Crackers and Marshmallow Fluff, they taste like a S'more! If you make them as you want one, you won't eat as many as when a bag of cookies is open in the cupboard.
6. Lunchables: Make your own quick and affordable portable lunches using Smuckers Uncrustable sandwiches, a Dole fruit cup and Yoplait GoGurt.
7. Ice Cream: Buying more than one tub in more than one flavor can lead to over consumption, so look for sales on Skinny Cow single serving ice cream sandwiches, bars and cups to help control portions.
8. Diet Green Tea: It’s easy to make your own chilled version by brewing green tea in a pitcher and adding some Splenda to sweeten.
9. Sprite Zero: Get the new 7.5-ounce Coca-Cola Minis, including Sprite Zero, to have a variety of your favorite brands on hand in just the right size, or choose seltzer water with a lemon for something else with fizz.
10. Bread: Look for whole grains in the right size and shape for your needs, whether Arnold 100% Whole Wheat Bakery Light, Pepperidge Farms 7-Grain Deli Flats or FlatOut Whole Grain White Flatbreads.

List #3 "Foxy_Mama21"
Her Top Ten Summer Staples and Robyn's Swaps

1. Potato Chips: Bake a potato in the microwave and top it with salsa and shredded low fat cheese for a nutritious and satisfying snack without all the fat and sodium of chips.
2. Ground Beef: Look for 90% lean or higher for the meatiest burgers or mix equal parts ground turkey breast with 85% lean beef and make sliders for a sensible serving size.
3. Sweet Corn: Fresh is best when corn on the cob is in season with only 100 calories per 6" ear. Frozen kernels are a good value all year round with 75 calories per 1/2 cup.
4. Graham Crackers: For the best S’mores, break graham crackers in half first or get the Honey Maid Graham Squares from Nabisco. Try Keebler Fudge Striped Cookies in place of grahams and you can skip the chocolate bar.
5. Marshmallows: Jet Puffed makes Strawberry, Swirl and Fun flavored marshmallows for a new twist on S'mores.
6. Chocolate: Use Hershey fun-sized chocolates in S’mores for kids and Ghiradelli SQUARES for adults, or try spreading chocolate frosting on grahams instead of chocolate bars.
7. Popsicles: Great for summer hydration, be sure they are made with real fruit juice for added nutritional benefits, like Minute Maid, Welch's or Doles frozen fruit juice bars.
8. Lemonade: Powdered mix is most economical, and by adding more water, you can reduce the sugar per serving. For a nutrient-enhanced beverage made with natural sweeteners, try vitaminwater zero which has zero calories per serving and is available in seven varieties.
9. Hot Dogs: If hot dogs make a regular appearance on your family menu, choose a lower fat brand like Ball Park Smoked White Turkey Franks or Ball Park Fat Free Beef Franks.
10. Hamburger/Hot Dog Buns: Look for every opportunity to introduce whole grains into the family meals with Pepperidge Farms Classic Whole Grain White or Wonder Wheat rolls and buns.