The fastest way to your fitter-body goals starts in the kitchen. Beyond piling high the fruits and vegetables, stock up on these higher-protein, lower-calorie packaged foods from every aisle and step up your grocery-shopping game.BY CAT PERRY & KRISTIN MAHONEY

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2016 HERS CLEANEST PACKAGED FOODS GUIDE

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GOOD CULTURE ORGANIC COTTAGE CHEESE Organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, low-sugar

On-the-go packs of organic cottage cheese come in a variety of sweet and savory flavors like Blueberry Acai Chia and Sundried Tomato. One of the best high-protein, low-calorie foods you can eat, this is a staple in any clean kitchen. Available at Whole Foods

CALIFIA FARMS FULL SHOT COLD BREWVegan, non-GMO

Get your energy boost while you’re on the go. One 10.5 oz serving provides you with your daily dose of caffeine, but also 6 grams of protein. Whole Foods

ORGANIC VALLEY GRASSMILKGluten-free, protein Milk, like this one from grass-fed cows, has five times more heart-healthy conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) than milk from grain-fed cows. organicvalley.com

MUSCLEEGG EGG WHITESHigh-protein, low-calorie

These pasteurized 100% liquid egg whites come in nine flavors like Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Caramel, or Original that are ready to drink but can also be cooked to create your favorite protein-packed recipes, with 26 grams of protein per serving. muscleegg.com

SARGENTO BALANCED BREAKS Protein, healthy fats

Nut and cheese packs make an ideal craving calmer, with protein and healthy fats in a perfect portion.sargento.com

Dairy & Eggs

Meat & Seafood

CHOBANI SIMPLY 100 CRUNCHHigh-protein, gluten-free, lower-sugar

A better breakfast (or snack) is served. Get 10 grams of protein plus a small sweet crunch of granola in only 100 calories. chobani.com

SWEET EARTH GET FOCUSED! FUNCTIONAL BREAKFAST BURRITOHigh-protein, vegetarian, whole grains

These multigrain wraps are a clean eater’s dream, filled with rich proteins like egg whites, tofu, peas, and quinoa, plus chunky vegetables, balanced perfectly with the right amount of spices. Skip the same-old omelet and have one of these instead. sweetearthfoods.com

EPIC BONE BROTHHigh-protein, Paleo-friendly, gluten-free

So much tastier than plain bone broths, these artisan blends are made homestyle with garlic and herbs. Each cup has 9–10 grams of protein, collagen, and minerals. Sip it post-workout or as a mashed sweet potatoes stock. epicbroth.com

TRADER JOE’S USDA CHOICE FILET MIGNONHigh-protein, gluten-free, Paleo

Premium protein with a choice, tender cut of meat like filet mignon ensures that you get the nutrition you need to build stronger muscles and recover stronger with every bite. traderjoes.com

UDI’S CHICKEN MAPLE SAUSAGE BREAKFAST SANDWICHGluten-free, high-protein

With egg whites and chicken sausage and a bit of sweet maple syrup, this break-fast sandwich is a strong start to your day if you don’t have time to make your own. udisglutenfree.com

APPLEGATE GRILLED CHICKEN STRIPSDairy-free, gluten-free, low-fat, sugar-free

These grilled chicken strips are tender and precooked. So just heat and eat! Convenience doesn’t get any healthier. Available at Target

TRADER JOE’S SRIRACHA TUNA SALADLow-calorie, healthy fats, high-protein

Perfect for an on-the-go meal, this spicy tuna blend from Trader Joe’s is high in protein and low in calories and fat. traderjoes.com

AL FRESCO UNCURED CHICKEN BACONNitrate-/nitrite-free, gluten-free, 100% natural

Chicken bacon is a healthier pork alternative, with 70% less fat and just 30 calories per serving. alfrescoall natural.com

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Breads, Grains, Pasta & Cereal

SEVEN SUNDAYS BLUEBERRY CHIA BUCKWHEAT MUESLIProtein, gluten-free, non-GMO, high-fiber

A delicious blend of chewy blueberries and apples, crispy coconut, and superfood chia seeds, it has 6 grams of protein and only 7 grams of sugar per half cup. sevensundays.com

MODERN TABLE MEALS CREAMY MUSHROOM PASTA KITGluten-free, high-protein, high-fiber

Protein-filled comfort food? Feel free to have a second serving. These healthier pasta kits are made from beans and legumes—like black beans and red lentils—offering 21 grams of protein per cup and tons of potassium, vitamin C, and iron. moderntable.com

ALTER ECO HEIRLOOM QUINOAWhole-grain, gluten-free

This quinoa has a unique nutty flavor which makes it perfect for shaking up your grain game. alterecofoods.com

KASHI GO LEAN CLUSTERS CEREAL IN VANILLA PEPITANon-GMO, gluten-free, vegan

This sweet and crunchy cereal is made from plant-powered ingredients that give you 9 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, leaving you full and satisfied until lunchtime. Whole Foods

ARNOLD EXTRA GRAINY BREAD This bread has 18 grams of whole grains that are visible inside and out, along with 4 grams of fiber per slice. A healthier, less-processed option for sandwiches and toast. Available at Walmart

MINUTE RICE MULTI-GRAIN MEDLEYGluten-free, whole grains

This medley of quinoa, brown, thai red, and wild rice, is 100% whole grain and ready to eat in just 10 minutes. minuterice.com

BFREE BREADGluten-free, vegan, non-GMO

Every gluten-free bread wants to taste as soft and satisfying as this one. BFree makes bagels, multigrain loaves, sliced, and pita. So satisfying, you won’t miss the other stuff. us.bfreefoods.com

GRAINFUL STEEL CUT MEALS IN UNSTUFFED PEPPER Gluten-free, whole grains

A fast, flavorful, and macro-friendly frozen dinner (18 grams protein, 260 calories) provides you with hearty veggies, turkey, and grains in just minutes. Comes in a ton of flavors, including Porcini Mushroom Chicken and Tuscan Bean & Kale, proving that oats are more than just a breakfast food. grainful.com

SIMPLE MILLS PANCAKE & WAFFLE MIX Gluten-free, non-GMO, grain-free, soy-free

Delicious lower-carb pancake and waffle mix made with almond flour is ideal for clean eating (18 grams of carbs per two cakes). Just add in a dash of your favorite protein powder when mixing, for a healthy silver dollar that’s free of refined sugars and grains. simplemills.com

NOR- WEGIAN PROTEIN MAGIC WAFFLESGluten-free

A single waffle is packed with 24 grams of protein and only 2 grams of sugar. It’s a perfect combo of macros to create a healthy and tasty breakfast or post-workout snack. vikingwaffles.com

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Sauces, Spreads, Butters, Spices & Dips

NUTS ‘N MORE SALTED CARAMEL PEANUT BUTTERHigh-protein

This intensely delicious Salted Caramel peanut butter has added whey protein isolate and flaxseed for muscle-building protein and healthy omega-3s that are ideal for smoothies, fruit toppers, and so much more. nuts-n-more.com

RICH & CREAMY MELT ORGANIC SPREADDairy-free, MCT oils

A creamy fruit-and-nut-oil-based butter alternative that includes virgin coconut oil, which offers plenty of fat-fighting medium-chain triglycerides. It has no trans fats and a balanced ratio of 2-to-1 of omega-6s to -3s, plus only half the calories and saturated fat of butter. It also comes in flavors like Honey and Chocolate in addition to original. meltorganics.com

SAN FRANCISCO SALT CO. SMOKED SEA SALTZero-calorie

Gourmet salts with deep, smoked flavors like hickory and cherrywood, these make your meat and veggie dishes pop, without adding any calories. sfsalt.com

SIX PACK FITNESS HOT SAUCE Gluten-free

Add intensity with zero-calorie serrano mango hot sauce. Use on chicken, beef, and veggies for guilt-free flavor. sixpackbags.com

SABRA VEGGIE FUSIONS GUACAMOLE GARDEN VEGETABLEHealthy fats

Made famous by its hummus, Sabra is whipping up guacamole with a healthy addition of carrots, bell peppers, and squash, which boost the vitamins and lower fat with every bite. sabra.com

Sweets

BARNANAHigh-potassium

Chocolate-coated banana bites are a great sweet-tooth satisfier and have tons of potassium to boot. barnana.com

CRUNCHIES FREEZE-DRIED PINEAPPLE Gluten-freeYou don’t need a special reason to snack on these tasty dried-fruit bites. These healthy, low-calorie Crunchies can be tossed into granola or yogurt to add a little burst of tang. crunchiesfood.com

I HEART KEENWAH DARK CHOCOLATE HIMALAYAN PINK SALT Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO

Cheat foods don’t have to be so bad for you. Crunchy quinoa puffs are coated in just-sweet-enough dark chocolate with a dash of pink salt, with 3 grams of protein per serving. iheartkeenwah.com

IL MORSO COFFEE CHOCOLATE BAR Low-sugar Coffee and dark chocolate wrapped in one bar—what’s not to love? These low-calorie morsels have 15–18 grams of caffeine from fair-trade coffee and only one gram of sugar. ilmorso.com

SMART SWEETSLow-sugar, high-fiber, sugar-/ alcohol-free

Part ways with sugar cravings as you pop SmartSweets into your mouth. These tangy gummy bears have 5 grams of protein per pack and 24 grams of a soluble-fiber blend, with only 2 grams of sugar. smartsweets.com

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