Cook fast and still eat well

Supermarkets are catering more and more to people who want in-a-hurry food that’s good for you, too.

Consumer Reports ShopSmart headed to the store to find nutritious, hassle-free foods for quick meals and easy snacking.

Go for convenience! Sure, it may cost a bit more, but with everyone so time-pressed and overscheduled these days, sometimes it’s your best bet for eating healthy. Want to cook fast and eat well?

ShopSmart followed nutritional guidelines and came up with a list of the healthiest convenience foods. It includes snacks such as Mini Babybel Light Cheese. They’re easy to toss in your purse and deliver lots of calcium and 6 grams of protein, with only 50 calories.

Craving a crunch? Try Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar rice and corn puffs. They satisfy, with 130 calories and 5 grams of fat per serving.

Melissa’s Edamame Shelled Soybeans pack 9 grams of protein into snack time. Or toss them with pasta for a simple supper.

A bag of Perdue Simply Smart Original Grilled Chicken Strips can set you back several dollars more than grilling a chicken. But pair those heat-and-eat strips with some fresh vegetables, and you’ve got a healthy dinner in no time.

A box of Doctor Praeger’s Tex Mex Veggie Burgers in your freezer is another quick way to get vegetables, fiber, and vitamins. Just add lettuce and a slice of tomato, and you’re good to go in a snap!

Adding your own ingredients, such as pasta and fresh vegetables, is a great way to jazz up prepared foods, and it’s a smart way to balance your meals.

Stocking up on smart choices go a long way to keeping your fast-fix foods healthy.