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Quiz: Which Food Is the Healthier Choice?

Ice cream or a fruit bar? Creamer or half-and-half? Beef tallow or sunflower oil? The better option isn't always the one you might expect. Take our quiz to see which ones come out on top—and why.

Multiple images of healthy food options Photos: Ben Goldstein, Consumer Reports

You head to the grocery store with the best of intentions. You check Nutrition Facts labels and ingredients lists, and try to decode buzzwords like "high protein" and "made with whole grains." But despite all that effort, it can still be tough to choose among some supposedly good-for-you foods.

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"The health benefits promoted on packaging and the varying ingredients between brands for the same type of food can stump even the savviest shoppers," says Amy Keating, RD, a nutritionist at Consumer Reports. Products with extra fiber or protein, for example, aren’t necessarily better for you than similar options without those claims. It’s also not always clear which foods are heavily processed.

This quiz takes you through common supermarket scenarios and product claims, and shows you what’s important—and what isn’t—so you can make the best selections as you shop.

Take the Quiz

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.


Ellen Seidman

Ellen Seidman

Ellen Seidman is an award-winning editor and writer who has held senior positions at HGTV Magazine, Food Network Magazine, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. Her work has been featured in Health, Time, Real Simple, and Parents. She has been a Consumer Reports reader since she was 9, and thanks her dad for subscribing.