Trade-Up Tuesday: Pasta Dinner
Welcome to Trade Up Tuesday! Every Tuesday I blog about a trade up I’ve made and I give away some of my favorite products to one lucky Commenter. Today, in the spirit of easy summer cooking, I’m giving away the fixings for an easy pasta dinner.
Pasta and pasta sauce are definitely two categories that I’ve made Trade Ups in. Before I learned about NuVal, I was most likely to buy whatever pasta was on sale. I now know that the scores for most of those plain pastas hover around a 61. That’s not a bad score, but once I started working for NuVal, I learned that there are several pastas with much, much better scores. Like these three:
Barilla Plus Thin Spaghetti: 91
Dreamfields Linguini: 87
Hodgson Mill Spaghetti: 91
After trying them out, I was amazed that I did not have to give up taste for better nutrition. My kids love them too, so I feel great on those nights when all we have time for is boiling up a quick pot of spaghetti.
Likewise, before I started working for NuVal, my Go To sauce was Classico. While there are some varieties of Classico that have fantastic scores, the highest scoring selections (like Spicy Red Pepper, Score: 68) are a little too spicy for my kids’ taste. And the Classico brand that my kids do like (Tomato & Basil), only scores a 43. My Go To Sauce these days is Pastene The Chateau Marinara Sauce with a NuVal score of 66. Everyone in the family loves it, so it’s worth the $4.99 price tag at our local Stop & Shop.
Today’s GiveAway
One lucky commenter will win The Chateau pasta sauce and the 3 boxes of pasta that you see in the picture above. Just leave a comment below answering the following question:
What food or product are you willing to pay more for because it has better nutrition?
I will choose one winner at random at 7 am EDT on Wednesday. Good Luck!
Posted by: Melissa 71 comments
Posted in: Barilla Plus, Dreamfield's, Trade-Up Tuesday
Tags: Barilla Plus, Dreamfield's, Pasta, sauce
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 7:22 am
[...] It’s Trade-Up Tuesday on A Better Bag of Groceries! Be sure to check out Melissa’s [...]
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Meat. I’ve cut down in the meat that I buy but the meat that I do buy is from whole foods and on a grass fed diet.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Greek Yogurt!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Hi Melissa ~ I’m more willing to pay for organic meats, greek yogurt, and better cereals. It’s totally worth it! Thank you!!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Hi, I am willing to pay more for organic farmers market produce. It is so worth it !!!!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Organic veggies for sure
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Any vegetables.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:15 am
I am willing to pay more for organic meat and, though not nutrition related, I will pay for environmentally friendly and humane products
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Definitely grass-fed beef
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:42 am
I pay more for locally grown and organic produce. Love supporting the local farmers!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Fresh produce, it only happens for a few short months, so I splurge while I can…
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Products with whole grains, they are so important to a healthy diet
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:06 am
It’s important to me to buy organic, especially with children in the house. We are definitely willing to pay more!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I would pay more for the organic version of the dozen “dirty fruits and veggies”. For example: celery, pears, peaches, aplles, and spinach.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:10 am
I will definitely pay more for greek yogurt!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Grass fed, organic meat is definitely something I am willing to pay more for.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
With the exception of some of the canned goods that receive higher scores, I’m willing to pay more for most produce that’s fresh and local versus buying it canned.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Produce and meat.. and greek yogurt- I’m addicted!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I am willing to pay more for whole grain products… They are so much more satisfying!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:17 am
I willingly pay more for organic milk and will go out of my way to find it. My kids don’t need growth hormones and antibiotics in their diet.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I will always pay more for organic milk with no hormones. Its totally worth it to me!!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:30 am
greek yogurt…it makes a great breakfast and it can be used in many dinner recipes as a sour cream substitute! win!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:31 am
I’m willing to pay a lot more for greek yogurt, rather than plain, and for cereals such as Shredded Wheat, rather than whatever’s on sale that week.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:37 am
I pay more for local foods, I think that it’s great to buy locally grown items and you get to see who is actually producing your food
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:38 am
I am willing to pay more for local, organic produce, especially now in the summer months!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Local produce, organic milk and eggs!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I am willing to pay more for better cereals. I don’t want to give my kids total sugar in the morning!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:53 am
greek yogurt for sure, and local produce
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Greek yogurt is my splurge and Kashi cereals. The artificial sweetners in yogurts just aren’t good!!!!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I have found myself more apt to spend a little extra on organics in the produce department. I do watch for the sales, but if the organics are just a bit higher I definately go for those!!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I pay more for Greek yogurt, no doubt. I do love the pasta from Trader Joe’s as well and it’s not expensive! Great giveaway!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 10:32 am
bread, I buy the more expensive bread because of the whole grain or multi grain in them.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Cheese. Iwon’t buy a “food product”. Our favorite sandwich cheeses are Cabot cheddar and swiss.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I will definitely pay more for organic milk, eggs and meat to help keep those icky hormones out of my daughter’s system as long as possible!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Awesome giveaway! There are lots of things that I am willing to pay more for because I feel better about eating them. I love Fiber Gourmet pasta! And another thing I don’t mind shelling out for is Naturally More, my favorite peanut butter!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I love your blog! I consistently pay more for soy/almond milk over regular milk and also cereal. I love cheap, sugary cereals but know that they’re pretty unhealthy!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 11:30 am
I’m willing to pay more for organic produce!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Great giveaway! I am willing to pay more for organic, local eggs as well as greek yogurt!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Horizon Organic Milk! My husband will actually drink this, so it easily justifies the extra $1 or so.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
i am willing to pay more for greek yogurt any day of the week!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Sometimes I pay more for organic produce (not really for better nutrition, but for better quality fruits and veggies). I’m also willing to pay for more expensive leafy greens (nutritious spinach over relatively nutrient void iceberg lettuce) and more exotic vegetables (acorn squash over white potatoes). I really need to learn that healthy foods are worth the extra penny!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I’m willing to pay more for fresh produce too, as well as fresh seafood!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
I am willing to pay more for anything organic. Plus pasta sauce — I do love Rao’s even though it is terribly pricey.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I am willing to pay more for organic produce, ideally locally grown.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Meat and fish – hands down! I refuse to buy any fish that has been farm raised (they belong in the ocean!!) or any chicken/beef/pork that isn’t free-range and grass fed!! How intersting about The Chateau sauce! We have one near us, as well. I’ll have to give it a shot. How does the Newman’s Organic shape up? That’s what I buy usually.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Hi Melissa! I don’t know if it is better nutrition but I am willing to pay more for organic or hormone free meats! Happy Tuesday!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Fresh, local, and if possible, organic vegetables and leafy greens! It makes a tremendous difference!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I am willing to pay more for almond milk because it’s so much better for you than regular milk!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Whenever I go to the grocery store I find that I am always more willing to spend more money on foods that are healthy and dont involve tons of sugar. I am also more willing to spend more money on the brand name products, because I have found that they often times taste better!!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Fresh local produce is always worth the extra money.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Eggland’s Best eggs
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Greek Yogurt. I feel like every time I answer one of your questions, my answer is Greek Yogurt. You just can’t go wrong!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
I am willing to trade up almost anything if I can afford it. Most definately is any kind of meat and produce. Oh yeah, and Egglands best eggs. I used to buy just anything because it was cheaper, but not as often anymore.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I will pay more for high quality meats and natural nut butters
.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
definitely greek yogurt and organic meats, but i do what i can on a limited budget
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I’ll pay extra for imported cheeses like parmigiano reggiano that are from Italy, the flavor just can’t be matched.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
I also am willing to pay a little extra for natural peanut butter and other nut butters!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I will pay more for freshly ground almond and peanut butters, because they taste so much better & don’t contain anything but the nut itself! I’m also willing to pay more $ for Ezekiel (low-sodium) bread, organic eggs, milk and cheese.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
I’m willing to pay more for organic products, especially fresh produce, peanut butter and grains.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I’m willing to pay (a lot) more for Organic Milk.
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
I am totally willing to pay more for organic veggies! I see it as an investment in health and well being so it’s totally worth it!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
good quality fish, poultry and dairy!
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Whole wheat bread over white bread
on Jun 8th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Yogurt!
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 1:31 am
organic fruitt
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 3:29 am
Fresh meat and cheese. Both are so much better – for you and tasting – when of quality!
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Greek yogurt, nut butters, and local produce…quality over quantity!
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 9:45 am
unsweetened organic dried fruit! SO GOOD!
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I’m willing to pay more for the fresh produce at my local farmers market. I swear, it just tastes SO MUCH BETTER!
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Thanks for the opportunity! My answer is greek yogurt. It’s not necessarily healthier then say plain yogurt, but I’m trying to include more protein into my diet.
on Jun 9th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Whole grain items and fresh produce from local farmers.