Forget “Banuary”, these are the healthy products to buy this January
If you’re anything like us, December is a time for all-out indulgence. From celebratory champagne to cheeky mince pies, we enjoy every last drop of the festivities.
However, for some, that can lead to a self-restricted “Banuary” – a month of misery, with a self-imposed ban on all things fun.
But as we should all know by now, restrictive diets are never the way to go. We live in an obesogenic environment, which means that we’re constantly exposed to environmental triggers that make it difficult to make good choices. In fact, research has shown that most of us will have ditched our resolutions by 16 January. So, it’s clear that demonising food and cutting out entire food groups is simply not sustainable.
With that in mind, this year, we’re doing things differently at Good Housekeeping. We’ve highlighted some of the key health goals that could be worth focusing on, and our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been hard at work testing all the new food launches, to help support you with those healthier habits. While there’s nothing better than freshly cooked, nutritious whole foods, these products combine convenience with health benefits to make it easier to stick to your goals when life gets busy.
Whether you want to increase your protein or fibre intake, or include more “plant points” in your diet, give your immunity a boost, or support your gut health, we’ve found the tastiest products to include in your next shop.
Whatever you choose to focus on will be personal to you. However, tracking what you eat (by using a free app such as MyFitnessPal) can be a useful way of spotting patterns and taking accountability. For example, do you tend to have a mid-afternoon slump and reach for the biscuit tin? Or do you crave carbs after a G&T? By simply recognising these patterns, you’re in a better position to make adjustments, perhaps by increasing your protein at breakfast, or upping your fibre at lunch so you feel fuller for longer.
These apps are also able to count individually set macros, water consumption, and any exercise you input. All of which can be encouraging, and help you stick to your goals.
So, have the cake, eat the roast dinner, and continue to enjoy everything life brings. But most importantly, forget the all-or-nothing mentality. By simply having an overall awareness of your diet, and incorporating a few healthy habits, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier January (and beyond!).
Read on for the key areas we’re focusing on this January, and the products that can help support you.
How we test
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute identified five key health areas to focus on for our tests – fibre, gut, protein, immunity and plant-points. They were looking for the latest (and more importantly, tastiest) launches and innovative products in each area.
Every shortlisted product was prepared as per the brand’s recommendations, and presented to our panel of taste testers, who evaluated each one on its aroma, flavour and texture.
Fibre-rich foods
Fibre (or lack thereof) is one of the gaping holes in our diets today. We should all be consuming 30g of fibre a day, which can be easily achieved by adding in lots of legumes, porridge oats, nuts and seeds.
Try adding beans into a classic recipe such as spaghetti bologna This will increase the meal's fibre and protein content, and make it go further, reducing the cost per portion.
When it comes to ready-made products, those marketed as high fibre must contain 6g per 100g. With that in mind, here are some top fibre-packed products to pop in your basket.
Fibre Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Fruit & Nut Cereal Bars 3 x 40g
Score: 83/100
When upping your fibre intake is as convenient and tasty as incorporating this bar into your diet, there’s really no excuse. It’s packed with dark chocolate, nuts, puffed rice pieces and chewy dried fruit, which gives it a great texture. Clocking in at 2.8g of fibre per 40g bar, we think it’s the perfect snack for on the go.
Fruit & Fibre 750g
Score: 81/100
This healthy mix of hazelnuts, raisins, banana and coconut is a very tasty way of incorporating 3.2g of fibre into your diet in one swift bowl. Described as “delicious” and “really lovely” by our panel, this cereal is a great balance of sweet, chewy dried fruit and savoury flakes.
Try topping it with one sliced banana (1.4g) and a small glass of fruit juice (1.2g) to increase your fibre intake further.
Organic Superfruit Crunch Granola 360g
Score: 76/100
If crunchy granola is your preferred way to start the day, Kallo’s organic clusters are a top choice. The tasty blend includes oats and crispy puffed wheat, and the freeze-dried cranberries, blueberries and blackberries provide a zingy tartness and light, natural sweetness. Plus, each bowl contains a very impressive 6.5g of fibre.
Other flavours in the range include Kallo’s Organic Three Nut Crunch Granola, which scored 74/100 with our tasting panel.
Rosemary Baked Seed Prebiotic Snack Bites 30g
Score: 72/100
More partial to a savoury snack? These rosemary flavoured baked bites are a great alternative to crisps and contain 4.7g of fibre per serving. Nibble them on the move, dip in homemade hummus (another great source of dietary fibre!), or sprinkle on top of salads.
Organic Breakfast Boost Cacao Crunch
Score: 72/100
Brimming with omega 3, loaded with iron and zinc, and rich in magnesium and fibre (1.7g per 15g serving), this is such a clever way to add essential nutrients into your day. We love adding a scoop of this organic blend to smoothies, on top of breakfast and in bakes – and the best bit? It tastes like chocolate!
Protein-boosted products
Protein is an important part of a healthy diet and is responsible for repairing and building bones and muscles. It can also help keep you feeling fuller for longer, preventing you from overeating.
Natural sources of protein include Greek yoghurt, lentils, lean beef, chicken, salmon, eggs and peanut butter among others. Here are some other products that will make it easier to incorporate ample protein in your diet.
High Protein Nuts & Seeds Granola 400g
Score: 84/100
Start your day with a bowl of high protein granola, and you’ll be well on your way to hitting those macros. Aside from 9.6g of protein per 40g serving, it’s also high in fibre and includes six plant varieties. Our panel loved the crunchy clusters, describing it as “excellent”, and “a really great product”.
To up the protein further you could serve it with a dollop of Greek yoghurt on the side, or team with Alpro's Plant Protein Red Berries Yogurt, which contains 15g of protein, and scored 81/100 with our panel.
Launches 2nd January 2025
High Protein Tandoori Chicken Masala 400g
Score: 83/100
You may not have expected to see a pre-prepared curry make an appearance in a healthy living guide, but ready meals can be a useful, time-saving solution for busy families. This curry contains 15g of protein, one of your five a day, and is high in fibre too. It’s part of Tesco’s new range of protein-boosted meals, which also includes its High Protein Beef and Lentil Ragu, which scored 83/100, too.
Our taste testers enjoyed the ratio of vegetables (think spinach, peppers and chickpeas) to chicken in this sweet and creamy curry. A top choice for a cosy night in.
Launches 6th January 2025
On The Go Mexican Tuna Bean Salad 220g
Score: 80/100
While we always aspire to making nutritious home-made lunches for the office, sometimes life happens and there simply isn’t time. Instead of popping into your local sandwich shop, chuck one of these in your bag instead.
A little twist on the traditional pasta salad, it’s a combination of tuna with onions, peppers, rice, sweetcorn, red kidney beans and white beans, in a subtly spiced Mexican-style tomato dressing. Each pack contains 17g of protein, making it the ideal on-the-go lunch.
Milbona High Protein Chocolate Pudding
Score: 79/100
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Lidl’s decadent chocolate pudding. Rich, creamy and silky smooth, it was an instant hit with our panel, who thought it would make a really great snack or dessert. And you can bag a generous 20g of protein per pot too, hurrah!
Holland & Barrett Peanut & Cocoa Bites 80g
Score: 77/100
If snacking is your downfall, we’ve found just the thing to turn it around. These bitesize balls are packed full of peanuts, sweetened with chewy dates and pepped up with a touch of bitter cocoa. Our panel loved the natural taste, and with 6g of protein in each pack, they’re a good way to fuel your day.
Plant point packed
A diet rich in a wide variety of plants is optimal for health. To reach your recommended 30 plants a week, you'll want to aim for just over four plant points from different sources every day. This can include vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds and even herbs and spices.
Each plant counts as one point, while herbs and spices count as a quarter. For example, if you were to eat two oranges, that’s one point, but an orange and a banana is two points. However, different varieties count, so eat one yellow pepper and one red, and you’ve earned yourself two points. Variety is key!
Looking for inspiration to reach your target? Read on...
PlantLiving: Indian Inspired Takeaway Feast 1388g
Score: 90/100
This plant-based Indian takeaway bundle is absolutely packed with veggies, herbs and spices, making it a truly delicious way of hitting your target. Comprising of a creamy korma, vegetable tikka masala and spicy Bombay potatoes, as well as crispy onion bhajis and naan breads for scooping, it’s a generous feast for two people, and totals 17 plant points per person.
Mezze Houmous + Rainbow Veg Grain Bowl 275g
Score: 87/100
Pollen + Grace is an excellent brand to look out for when trying to incorporate more veggies into your diet, with the number of plant points clearly stated on the packaging. This fresh grain bowl contains an impressive 12 points, with roasted sweet potato, quinoa and rocket in a herby zhoug dressing all contributing to that. Our panel loved the vibrant array of produce, with one tester describing it as “better than a sandwich”, and a “good lunch for on the move”.
Mix it up throughout the week with other lines from the range, including Pollen + Grace Chickpea Tikka Masala which scored 76/100.
Mexican Ready Meal
Score: 81/100
Ensuring your kitchen is always fully stocked with nutritious options means you’re much more likely to make good decisions. This freezer-friendly bag of Mexican-spiced mixed veggies and soya-based “chicken” pieces is an excellent hack for upping those plant points when you’re short of time.
Granted, it’s not the most beautiful plate of food we’ve ever tucked into; however, our panel was pleasantly surprised by just how fresh and vibrant this medley was.
Gut-friendly goodness
Your gut (yes, yours!) is home to trillions of microorganisms known as the gut microbiome. In recent years, it’s even been referred to as the "second brain" due to the incredibly complex neural network (we’re talking over 100 million nerve cells!). The gut is also responsible for making 95% of the body’s serotonin, which regulates your mood, appetite and sleep, and iit's in constant communication with your brain. So, in short, it’s pretty important to look after it.
Here are some gut healthy hacks to include in your diet.
Organic 10 Hour Chicken Bone Broth with Lemongrass & Red Chilli 500ml
Score: 81/100
When you’re short on time, Daylesford's high-protein, nutrient-dense organic bone broth is ready in under 10 minutes. It's been made in collaboration with the brand's expert nutritionist and is packed with high-quality collagen, which can help improve digestion and be beneficial for the gut.
Like a warm hug on a cold day, this comforting chicken broth is clean, fresh and full-flavoured, with a gentle heat that will soothe a winter cold. It’s made in a zero-waste kitchen partially powered by renewable energy, so it’s good for the planet too.
Pineapple & Turmeric Sauerkraut 400g
Score: 79/100
Fermented products are excellent for the gut as they contribute healthy bacteria that creates a probiotic effect, restoring balance. A combination of white cabbage, cauliflower, pineapple, herbs and spices, this sauerkraut is a great little flavour boost for an array of meals. Try a dollop in a hummus sandwich, to spice up your next lunch.
Chipotle & Lime Chips Sharing Bag 80g
Score: 79/100
This might look like a standard bag of crisps, but this gut-healthy spicy snack is made from sorghum – an ancient African grain that’s packed with nutrients, as well as being high in fibre and protein. It’s also gluten-free, making it a good choice for people with celiac disease. The brand “activates” these chips by soaking the grains, which helps to maximise the beneficial nutrients and make them easier to digest.
It might all sound a bit “woo-woo” but the science speaks for itself, and regardless, they taste incredible, with a moreish coating of chipotle and lime. Convenient, healthy and delicious!
Kefir Drink Vanilla 500ml
Score: 79/100
A fermented milk drink, kefir is one of the richest probiotic food sources. Bio & Me’s vanilla-flavoured version is high in protein and a great source of calcium, as well as vitamins B2 & B12 (which help the body release energy from food). It contains over 100 billion gut-friendly cultures with a smooth and creamy texture that our testers found a pleasure to drink.
Try it over Bio & Me’s Cocoa & Hazelnut Gut-Loving Prebiotic Granola (76/100).
Smoked Sriracha Fermented Hot Sauce 150ml
Score: 71/100
Hot sauce may not be the most obvious product to highlight when it comes to looking after your gut, but this smokey sriracha is made from slowly fermented peppers. They are smoked over oak, and blended with miso, garlic and onions, with a gentle tingly heat.
Granted, the quantity you’d have to consume to make a difference to your gut might inadvertently blow-your-socks-off; however, when it’s this tasty, it’s really a win, win. Add to everything from eggs to burgers.
Immunity support
The winter months can feel like a never-ending game of whac-a-mole when it comes to keeping germs at bay. Give yourself a helping hand with these immunity boosting products, containing lots of helpful ingredients (such as vitamin C) to help keep you in tip-top shape.
Nourish Good For Immunity Apple And Ginger With A Hint Of Lime 500ml
Score: 80/100
Get your day off to a great start with Morrisons’ own-brand fiery ginger juice. We love that it contains the equivalent of five daily vitamin C shots, making it a helpful product to dip into throughout the week. The sweetness from the apple juice balances out the sharp citrus and zingy ginger, making this an excellent all-rounder at a fantastic price.
Berry Bites with Benefits 30g
Score: 76/100
These chewy plant-based bites – made up of dates, dried cranberries and cherries, cashews, almonds and flax seeds, among other ingredients – are full of added benefits. Not only are they naturally high in fibre, and good for our gut with one billion of the good guy bacteria, they’re also high in vitamin C, which is great for our immune system.
Our testers loved the natural ingredients, and thought these bites tasted great, making them a true handbag essential in our eyes.
Butternut Squash & Chilli Power Soup 600g
Score: 75/100
A warming bowl of soup is always a good idea throughout the colder winter months. But if you don’t have time to make your own, don’t fret. This one contains 10g of protein, 14g of fibre, contributes three of your five a day, and contains a whopping 17 plant points in each pot. It's also gluten and dairy free!
Testers said they enjoyed the thick and creamy combination of sweet butternut squash, carrots and mild chilli. We think it’s a real one-pot wonder.
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