Olive oil


McEvoy and Cohn, from fairly small vineyards in Northern California, have intense, complex flavors and are sold primarily online at www.mcevoyranch.com and www.brcohn.com. The Goya doesn't come on quite as strong as the top two, so it might go well with a wider variety of foods. Two other advantages: It sells for one-fifth the price of the others and is available at many supermarkets.

Whole-wheat spaghetti


Whole-wheat pasta has more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other beneficial compounds than regular pasta, and these products tasted slightly sweet, with a nutty grain flavor. They also had good texture. That's a lot better than those we ranked in the early 1990s.

Peaches


These have the floral aroma and flavor intensity of fresh ripe peaches.

Balsamic vinaigrette dressing


This winner is sweet and fruity, with a distinct balsamic-vinegar flavor that tasted just-made.

Trans-fat-free spread


Our sensory testers called it a "butter-fooler," with lots of dairy flavor.

Barbecue sauce


It's versatile, with sweet molasses flavor, some heat, and just enough smoke to make you think grilled.

Granola


Granolas are seen as healthful but are often packed with fat, so eat them sparingly. These are fresh and crunchy, with flavorful nuts and seeds.

Hot dogs


OK, they're little bundles of sodium and fat, but nutritionists we interviewed agreed that a sound diet can reasonably include any type of food in moderation. These franks are the best of the bunch.

Chicken soup


Our tasters described this standout as "lick the bowl" tasty and "thick as stew." The soups are sold online at www.originalsoupman.com, at Soupman restaurants, mostly in New York and New Jersey, and at some supermarkets.

Chocolate-chip cookie dough


Chocolate-chip cookies made with store-bought dough can taste almost homemade. To avoid the prep work, try these.

Cereal


Toasted oats


Flavor intensity separates these whole-grain cereals from lesser brands.


Frosted flakes


These cereals don't have the characteristic bitterness our testers detected in other frosted flakes. They contain 12 grams of sugar per serving but are fat-free. Malt-O-Meal, a smaller brand that makes its own version of various popular cereals, is much less expensive than the major brands.


Mini wheats


Our picks have a clean, balanced flavor and a nice crunch.

Cereal bars


This very chewy whole-grain bar has big, roasted, crunchy nuts, as well as flavorful seeds and grains.