Start the meal (or make it a light meal/snack) with these winners in taste, nutrition and convenience.

Links go to the manufacturers' Web sites, where more information (including ingredients and online ordering, for some) is available. Click on product photo to see Nutrition Facts (data not verified by Winning Foods).

See Definitions page for a key to the RED SYMBOLS indicating nutrient/health claims and organic status.

Amy's Organic Soups
LOW FAT CREAM OF TOMATO
LF, F, Org

Creamy texture (with just a touch of cream), great taste, 20% of your daily vitamin A and vitamin C, and a good source of fiber -- all rolled into one heat-and-serve soup.
(www.amyskitchen.com -- click on "soups", then go to Cream of Tomato Soup)

Tabatchnick
VEGETABLE SOUP
LF, F

Want easy access to veggies without that canned veggie taste? Tabatchnick soups are found in the frozen foods section. Heat the pouches in boiling water or a microwave for a fresh/homemade taste and a good or excellent source of vitamins A and C, iron and fiber.
(www.tabatchnick.com -- click on "Parve" link at bottom of homepage)

Tabatchnick
SPLIT PEA SOUP
LF, F

This home-style soup is a nutrition powerhouse with a semi-creamy texture and balanced flavors. Excellent source of fiber, protein, vitamin A and iron.
(www.tabatchnick.com -- click on "Parve" link at bottom of homepage)

Jeremiah's
SCALLOP-SHRIMP CAKES

Made with shallots, white wine and red bell pepper, these are sweeter and slightly firmer than crab cakes, and fairly low in fat (assuming you heat them in a nonstick pan with just a small amount of cooking spray or vegetable oil). Available in 3 oz or mini 1/2 oz cakes. Their seafood sausages and salmon-corn cakes are also very good.
(www.jeremiahs.com -- click on "seafood cakes")

Trader Joe's
TOMATO BASIL HUMMUS
LF

Rich, creamy texture (but not too thick), and lots of flavor without much fat (2 g per 2 Tbsp). Good non-dairy, vegetarian spread for bread/sandwiches or as a dip for veggies, bread sticks, etc.
(www.traderjoes.com -- click on the "Locations" flag to find a store)

Jimtown Store
ROASTED VEGETABLE SPREAD, SAUCE & DIP
LF, H

Roasted red peppers, squash, onions, tomatoes, etc., with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and nicely seasoned -- a lot of work to make at home, so this is real gourmet treat for topping a baguette, chips, crackers, pasta, grilled chicken, etc. Note that Nutrition Facts should be for 2 Tbsp (correct serving size), which will bump vitamin A and C values up to qualify this product as "healthy."
(www.jimtown.com)

Ducktrap River Fish Farm
LOW-FAT SMOKED TROUT PATE
LF

Use of low-fat ricotta keeps the fat low in this flavorful spread. Try it on celery or the crackers in our snacks listing, or use it with lettuce, tomato, etc. for an easy sandwich. Nutrition highlights per 1/4 cup: 3 g fat, 10 g protein, 15% DV for calcium.
(www.ducktrap.com -- call for store locations)