The winners of the 2016 Healthy Food Guide Awards have been announced.

Product of the Year went to McKenzie’s SuperBlend range which was described as a “game-changer” by the judges.

“It removes the fuss of slow-cooking lentils, beans and whole grains – important inclusions in a good, nourishing diet,” said judge and dietitian, Brooke Longfield.

“These innovating high-fibre blends boil up in just 15 minutes,” she said.

The Healthy Food Guide Awards are run each year by Healthy Food Guide Magazine and aim to showcase the healthiest packaged foods on supermarket shelves across eleven different categories.

“Thanks to technology, food companies are making products that pack in more nutrition, as well as being quick to prepare, making it easy in our busy lives to eat well.” said co-judge Andrea Duvall, editor of Healthy Food Guide.

“We applaud the food companies that are doing great things in this area,” Duvall said.

 

Complete list of the 2016 Healthy Food Guide Award winners

 

2016 Product of the Year    

McKenzie’s SuperBlend range

SuperBlend Fibre: Freekah, Lentils & Beans

SuperBlend Protein: Lentils, Quinoa & Beans

 

Best kids’ lunch box snack

The Happy Snack Company Kids Roasted Fav-va Beans (Pizza)

Judges’ comment – ‘Rich in fibre, not salt and fat like many lunch box snacks.’

 

Best sweet treat

Mayver’s Cacao Super Spread
Judges’ comment – ‘A chocolatey spread that’s a good source of fibre, protein and heart-healthy fats’.

 

Best snack bar

Wallaby Granola Bar (French Vanilla with Sour Cherry)         

Judges’ comment – ‘This bar stands out for its great flavour – and it has a third of our daily fibre needs ‘

 

Best allergy-friendly snack

The Happy Snack Company Crunchy Roasted Fav-va Beans (Red Pepper & Chilli)

Judges comment – ‘Free from gluten and nuts, this low-kilojoule snack is an easy and delicious way to eat more fibre-rich legumes, and it will fill you up, too!’

 

Best on-the-go dairy snack

Coon Natural Tasty Cheese Snacks

Judges’ comment – ‘This classic cheese now comes in snack-sized wrapped portions which are an easy, calcium-rich snack you can nibble on the go or pack into work/school lunchboxes.’

 

Best breakfast cereal

Uncle Tobys 3-minute Steel Cut Oats

Judges’ comment – ‘While steel cut oats need stove-top cooking, this innovative cereal offers a heart-friendly hot breakfast in only three minutes.’

 

Best allergy-friendly staple

Burgen Gluten Free Soy-Lin Bread

Judges’ comment – ‘We love how this gluten-free bread’s taste and texture, and with nearly 20 per cent of your fibre needs in two slices, you’ll be on your way to your daily target.’
Best time-saving product

Coles Brown Rice & Chia Seed
Judges’ comment – ‘Microwave rice pouches are an easy and convenient way to eat more whole grains, and the chia seeds add a nutrient boost. Half a pouch has 30 per cent of you daily fibre needs.’

 

Best meal flavouring

Table of Plenty Pistachio Dukkah

Judges’ comment –  ‘This nutty spice mix has just a sprinkling of salt compared to many other meal flavourings, and is great for coating chicken or fish, or you could even sprinkle it over a boiled egg as a snack!’

 

Best ready-made meal

Woolworths Delicious Nutritious Beef & Tomato Casserole

Judges’ comment – ‘Extra points for meaty chunks and a home-style flavour! It’s great for those wanting to avoid highly processed frozen meals.’

 

Best vegetarian food

Vegie Delights Chickpea & Red Lentil Kofta

Judges’ comment – ‘With more than 10g of hunger-busting protein and less than 500mg sodium per serve, these chickpea patties are a tasty stand-by to include in your next meat-free meal.’