nzherald.co.nz

Opinion: Herbal or fruit teas are clean and simple, right?

COMMENT: Jury still out on benefit of trendy ingredient, writes Wendyl Nissen.

The good old luncheon sausage is such a popular standby for busy parent.

COMMENT: Either-or labelling leads to confusion for the consumer.

COMMENT: Sandwich thins are low-calorie option but contain more additives than usual loaf.

Wendyl Nissen is surprised at how little mushroom there is in this soup.

COMMENT: Fresh nibbles are more expensive, but will give more bang for your buck.

COMMENT: I discovered this cereal last year and ate it regularly, writes Wendyl Nissen.

With 18 ingredients in this store-bought stock you'd be best to make your own.

COMMENT: Berry booster works out dearer than its tablet counterpart, writes Wendyl Nissen.

COMMENT: Wendyl Nissen casts her eye over Sealord NZ Hoki Malay Coconut Curry.

Comment: This has a lot of sugar but the dish is traditionally sweet.

COMMENT: 3 teaspoons of sugar in every puff requires strict discipline.

COMMENT: 'Diet' noodles easy to prepare for quick, light lunch or dinner.

COMMENT: I used to eat a lot of these soups for lunch in the 90s, then I looked at the ingredients label, reports Wendyl Nissen.

COMMENT: Could Tegel's spicy nibbles match the world's best? Very acceptable, dish them up again, says aficionado.

COMMENT: Summer rolls kit is pricey but at least it's from a real person.

COMMENT: Natural flavours make this confectionery is a healthier treat for your friends and family.

COMMENT: The flavour and colours are natural but less than a fifth of these pies is meat.

Product with low sugar and salt and plenty of wholegrains a good choice.

COMMENT: When do-it-yourself pasta is not on the agenda and a quick meal is needed, this package fits the bill.

COMMENT: A do-it-yourself version without the sugar is better for you.

COMMENT: A flavoured tuna pocket is easy to take to work or to complete a meal but why not buy a tin and add your own fresh flavour.

COMMENT: I understand that our reader finds this easy to prepare and it is less fatty than a true hollandaise but, oh, it has so many additives.

COMMENT: The most disappointing thing about this syrup is that nowhere on the packaging does it signal that it uses artificial sweeteners.

After writing about wasabi rice crackers two weeks ago I realised that I had never taken a good look at two very common and popular condiments.

COMMENT: I have spent an afternoon in the supermarket for you and has come up with my best selections for Christmas Day food items.

COMMENT: These take a dozen ingredients to get the taste of wasabi.

COMMENT: These intriguing no-bacon bacon bits change initial impressions.

COMMENT: Free-range nuggets beat the previously foul rap-sheet.

COMMENT: These chips taste like the real thing but that's down to clever chemists.

COMMENT: Milk without reintroduced permeates is available and costs little more than one that tastes more watery.

COMMENT: So for a treat, have a few of these in the cupboard and next time you visit an elderly relative take a few boxes. They'll love them.

COMMENT: Handy sauce sachet is pretty close to the real thing.

COMMENT: Cameo Cremes are an old-fashioned favourite, so it would be nice to see some old-fashioned goodness in them.

COMMENT: It is such a nice experience to look at the ingredients list of these chips and find that they are naturally flavoured.

COMMENT: This is great for bringing the sugar content down, so you will get just 11.7g of sugar in a 250ml glass.

COMMENT: There are no artificial flavours or colours, but I am unable to buy into the sell that these are traditionally baked.

These small bottles of dressing appeared a few months ago on the supermarket shelves and I liked their look.

COMMENT: With just 4 per cent or 20.2g chicken I think the name of this soup should be changed to Winter Vegetables with Roast Chicken.

COMMENT: Well go for it, and thank you to Frucor who make V for listening to the consumers who, like me, want a more natural alternative to your products.

COMMENT: If your cat enjoys a healthy diet full of meat then as a carnivore it should be quite healthy, so it doesn't really need this milk.

COMMENT: The nutritional content is high in this cereal, but so is the sugar.

COMMENT: Two supermarket solutions are acceptable toppings for your winter puddings, but why not make the real thing?

COMMENT: Bread mix would suit a beginner but you could use your loaf and make one from scratch.

COMMENT: Once you start trying to make chips taste like bacon without putting bacon in, you are ingesting a range of additives you don't really need.

COMMENT: If you want an instant porridge without sugar, then opt for this one, throw syrup out and add your own berries for extra flavour and nutrition.

COMMENT: These would be great for vegetarians and they also have the benefit of no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

COMMENT: Additives abound in this packet so why not buy pork shoulder and cook it yourself?

COMMENT: As far as cake mixes go, I rate this one highly because it is easy to make and tastes good.

COMMENT: Give this one a miss if you're looking for a sweet treat for your child on a shopping trip and go for something a little more natural.

COMMENT: This is a very aromatic, intense and spicy meal, so if you like Indian food then you'll probably love these.

How do you know if you're getting a good salad that's mainly vegetables or something else that is just swimming in dressing?

COMMENT: Does your local supermarket have walls and walls of chocolate by the checkout? Mine does. It seems as though novelty chocolate is taking over.

There's not a lot wrong with hash browns as they are mainly made of potato

COMMENT: If you're going to use cat biscuits, then these are a good choice because of the minimal additives.

Hunt for good-quality dog food helped me find this Australian range, new to the market here.

COMMENT: The world has gone mad for coconut. Coconut water, milk and cream is in every health food as we search for more ways to improve our health.

Everyone loves a rice cracker because they are light and crunchy, low in calories and gluten free.

COMMENT: I love fish and I believe that fresh is best. This offering is new to the supermarket freezers and packaged to catch your eye.

COMMENT: So I'm afraid to say this is a highly processed meal of pasta, in my opinion.

Most of us have done it. Gone to the Asian store and bought galangal, lemongrass, shrimp paste and the rest and spent most of our day off making a curry.

COMMENT: Moreish bar is packed with sugar but is fabulous as a very occasional treat.

COMMENT: I get the idea of having a handy, portable snack you can throw your toddler in the back seat of the car, but that's what bananas are for.

COMMENT: If you're a muesli fan then you're going to find it tough sourcing a product without sugar because it comes naturally in nuts and fruit.

COMMENT: One of the secrets to healthy eating is keeping good snacks on hand so that you aren't tempted to buy a packet of chips or a bar of chocolate.

British coffee shop chains Starbucks, Costa and Caffe Nero said they were committed to reducing sugar content in their drinks.

My relationship with my two dogs Flo and Rosie has taken on a new meaning since I found this dog sausage, writes Wendyl Nissen.

This drink was introduced to me by my daughter on her 18th birthday, writes Wendyl Nissen.

I would prefer a black pudding which was a little more than 49 per cent meat and I would prefer the meat to be pork, writes Wendyl Nissen.

If you don't want to chop up potatoes then look for frozen chips with as few additives as possible, writes Wendyl Nissen.

Pets suffer health effects from poor diets too, so read ingredient lists carefully, writes Wendyl Nissen.

Little foil pouch leaves a distinct 'astronaut food' impression - as does the taste, writes Wendyl Nissen.

A year on, the country life still beckons Wendyl Nissen and Paul Little, but a flash new job has led to a change of plans.

Over the years I have tasted some pretty horrible things, yet I have never felt the need to say it. Until now, writes Wendyl Nissen.

It doesn't pay to get too fancy with Kiwi soup mix and reduced-cream favourite.

Takeaway cereal tastes like its good for you - not just a treat.

The granddaughters are on their way for Christmas so my husband popped these into the trolley when I wasn't looking, writes Wendyl Nissen.