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The 10 Best Healthy Breads, Pastas, Cereals, and Other Whole Grains You Can Buy at the Supermarket
Here’s the thing: Whole grains aren’t glamorous or exciting, and they’re probably never going to be as trendy as avocado, but that’s not why we love them. Things like bread, pasta, and oats are great because they’re reliable, consistent, and classic—essentially, the basic white shirt of your diet. Full of nutrients that keep you satisfied like complex carbohydrates and fiber, they’re tentpoles of healthy eating and they make great bases for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beyond. Whatever your cooking needs may be, a whole grain product can probably help. After all, what would you smear avocado on or douse in spaghetti sauce without them?
These 10 are the winners of the whole grain category of this year’s SELF Healthy Food Awards, where we tasted over 250 products in various categories to find the tastiest healthy store-bought foods. These were selected out of dozens of registered dietitian-approved products, all extensively taste-tested by SELF editors. Including breads, cereals, pastas, granolas, oats, and more, with some gluten-free options to boot, there’s something here for everyone—proving basic definitely doesn’t have to mean boring.
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Courtesy of Brand1 Best Bread: Nature’s Own 100% Whole Grain Sugar Free Bread
Oddly enough, a lot of breads at the supermarket sneakily contain a not insignificant amount of added sugar. This one doesn’t, but it does taste just as good as any of the ones that do, so much so it had editors asking, “what’s not to love about this classic?” With a good amount of fiber and protein, they add that it’s heartier than its competitors, and great for all kinds of sandwiches, whether that be something fancy or a simple PB & J.
Per one slice: 50 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated), 9 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein, 125 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $2.49 for a 16-oz. bag
Buy it: heb.com
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Courtesy of Brand2 Best Gluten-Free Bread: BFree Brown Seeded Sandwich Loaf
All the seeds in this gluten-free bread give it a taste and texture that’s uncannily like bread with gluten, according to taste testers. “This seeded bread tastes like the real thing,” they wrote, “[and it’s] equally tasty as toast as it is for sandwiches.”
Per one slice: 70 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 11 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 3 g protein, 170 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $5.49 for a 14.1-oz. bag
Buy it: walmart.com
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Courtesy of Brand3 Best Sweetened Cereal: Special K Vanilla Almond Cereal
Pretty much everyone has a soft spot for cereal, but all too often, cereal is largely sugar, carbs, and nothing else. On the other hand, this Special K will keep you satisfied, and it has all the classic cereal flavors you know and love. “This cereal has a nice combination of sweetness from the vanilla and a nutty crunch from the almonds,” wrote one editor.
Per one cup: 150 calories, 1.5 g fat (0 g saturated), 33 g carbs, 11 g sugar, 3 g protein, 220 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $3.88 for a 18.8-oz. box
Buy it: walmart.com
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Courtesy of Brand4 Best Gluten-Free Cereal: Kashi Organic Indigo Morning Cereal
Lots of cereals pack in fruity flavors, but this one packs in real-deal fruit. Freeze-dried blackberries and blueberries basically become fresh when you add milk. Plus, they provide most of the sweetness to this breakfast, so it’s low in added sugars.
Per ¾ cup: 100 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 22 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 2 g protein, 125 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $3.49 for a 10.3-oz. box
Buy it: amazon.com
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Courtesy of Brand5 Best Granola: Gavin’s Granola
Editors were really into this granola because it tastes amazing and it’s sold in single-serve packages that make it perfect for on-the-go snacking. When you’re rushing to get out the door in the mornings, every little bit helps.
Per 1-oz. container: 130 calories, 4.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 20 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 3 g protein, 30 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $14.99 for a box of 36 packages
Buy it: safeandfair.com
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Courtesy of Brand6 Best Sweet Granola: Millville Protein Crunchy Granola: Dark Chocolate
When regular old granola just won’t cut it, this chocolate-filled granola is what our editors find themselves reaching for. “Chocolate in granola always wins,” one wrote, another adding “[it] made it sweet but not too sweet.” They recommend serving it over yogurt, though it’ll taste just as good with milk or by the handful.
Per ½ cup: 220 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 36 g carbs, 12 g sugar, 10 g protein, 150 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $2.99 for an 11-oz. bag
Available at ALDI stores.
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Courtesy of Brand7 Best Gluten-Free Oatmeal: Dr. McDougall’s Organic Superfood Mega Omega Oatmeal
“This oatmeal is what an oatmeal should be: Hearty and a great base whether you’re adding fruit, peanut butter, cinnamon, or a combination of all three,” wrote one editor. Whether you want to cook it and eat it right away or turn it into overnight oats, it works equally great. And it’s totally gluten-free.
Per one packet: 160 calories, 5 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 23 g carbs, 0 sugar, 5 g protein, 0 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $4.47 for a 5.3-oz. box
Buy it: amazon.com
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Courtesy of Brand8 Best Overnight Oats: Apple and Coconut Maker Overnight Oats
If you’ve found yourself getting tired of overnight oats lately, this product will get you right back on the bandwagon, because it single-handedly convinced some of our editors to start eating it again! One person loved it so much, they wrote, “[it] could become a contender for my desert island breakfast.”
Per one pouch: 260 calories, 6 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 45 g carbs, 15 g sugar, 6 g protein, 5 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $2.28 for a single-serve bag
Buy it: amazon.com
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Courtesy of Brand9 Best Pasta: Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti
More than one person on our team uses this whole grain spaghetti on regular rotation, because it’s just that good. “It cooks quickly and pairs well with everything from classic bolognese to fresh steamed vegetables,” said one editor, making it a great option when you need something to eat in a pinch.
Per 2-oz. serving: 200 calories, 1.5 g fat (0 g saturated), 41 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 7 g protein, 10 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $1.79 for a 13.25-oz. box
Buy it: barilla.com
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Courtesy of Brand10 Best Gluten-Free Pasta: Andean Dream Organic Fusilli Pasta
Made with quinoa, this pasta is totally gluten-free, yet it tastes almost identical to traditional pasta, according to our editors. They were super impressed by how similar the texture and consistency was to what they normally eat, so much so even staffers who can eat gluten were into it.
Per 2-oz. serving: 210 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 46 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 5 g protein, 0 mg sodium
Suggested retail price: $4.67 for an 8-oz. box
Buy it: amazon.com