FINDING a nutritious, tasty pre-made meal at the supermarket can be tricky.
But picking a Healthy Food Guide Award winner will take some of the hard work out of it.
According to this year's awards, the best ready-made meal is Woolworths Delicious Nutritious range's Beef and Tomato Casserole.
Judges were impressed with the product's large chunks of tender meat, minimal processing and its short, healthy ingredient list.
Other standouts were Lean Cuisine Pots of Goodness Thai Green Chicken Curry, SuperNature Beef, Kale & Quinoa Lasagne and Edgell Lentil Salad.
Award judge Brooke Longfield said it was good to see improvements in pre-made food.
"Frozen meals have often been poor dinner choices in the past - high in salt and lacking enough protein and fibre to keep people satisfied," she said.
"It's pleasing to see that manufactures are including more vegetables in these meals."
Other award winners were:
- Coles Brown Rice & Chia Seed - Best Time-Saving Product
- Table of Plenty Pistachio Dukkah - Best Meal Flavouring
- McKenzie's Superblend range - Product of the Year
- Wallaby Granola Bar, French Vanilla with Wild Cherry -Best Snack Bar 2016
- Mayver's Cacao Super Spread - Best Sweet Treats
- Coon Natural Tasty Cheese Snacks - Best On-The-Go Snack
The annual awards are judged by a team of dieticians who analyse hundreds of brands across 11 different categories. The products are then put to a taste test.
The winning products will soon have a green Healthy Food Guide logo on their packaging to make it easier for shoppers.
Full winners and finalists at www.healthyfoodguide.com.au
