Healthy Enough For Real Life: Amanda’s Approved Processed Foods List

Why I made this list

I work with women who care deeply about their health—but who also live full, busy lives.

You might be:

• On the road between meetings

• Traveling

• Sitting at your desk all day

• In a season where cooking every meal just isn’t realistic

And here’s my honest opinion: that doesn’t mean you abandon nourishment.

While whole, home-prepared foods are always the foundation, there are moments when having intentional, supportive processed foods can keep you steady—especially when it comes to protein, blood sugar, and nervous system support.

Ideally, these foods make up no more than 20% of your daily intake.

But in a pinch? They can be the difference between staying nourished and slipping into a protein deficit that derails your energy, mood, and metabolism.

That’s why this list exists.

Amanda’s Approved Processed Foods

Bars, Snacks & Protein Support

• 88 Acres bars

• TRUBAR plant-based protein bars

• Wilde protein chips

• The Only Bean edamame snack packs

• Paleo Valley meat sticks

Baking, Grains & Crunch

• Bob’s Red Mill oats

• Bisquick gluten-free biscuit mix

• Aleia’s gluten-free croutons

• Crunchmaster gluten-free crackers

Dairy-Free & Functional Beverages

• Kite Hill vegan Greek yogurt

• Kite Hill vegan cream cheese

• Koia protein drinks

• Remedy Organics plant-based drinks

• Olipop functional sodas

Gut, Collagen & Metabolic Support

• Vital Proteins collagen peptides

• SuperGut Gut-Healthy GLP-1 Booster packets

Condiments, Sauces & Extras

• Primal Kitchen ketchup, mayonnaise, dressings, and sauces

• G Hughes sauces and marinades

• Chosen Foods mayonnaise

• Oh Snap! pickle snack packs

• The Conscious Bar dark chocolate

• Simple Kneads cinnamon raisin sourdough bread

A final note from me

This list isn’t about shortcuts.

It’s about making nourishment accessible when life is busy.

These foods help you:

• Stay out of protein deficits

• Keep blood sugar steady

• Support digestion and metabolism

• Feed your body without stress or guilt

Use them intentionally.

Return to whole foods when you can.

And let food support your life—not complicate it.

For my Trader Joe’s shopping list, click here.

Amanda Surratt, BS, QP, CECP, CBCP, CHLC, CHIHC, CHAN

Founder of Abundant Body Regulation: a holistic health coaching method 

www.confidentlyjoyful.com