Photos:: Foods to look for

Steel-cut oats are a healthful choice for breakfast and can be easily made the night before.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Packaged beets are a good way to add the vegetable to salads without spending time on cooking. Lee likes packaged beets, as well as trays of cut-up carrots and celery for adding vegetables (without hassle) to your daily diet.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Canned soups are usually salt-heavy, but Bellatti says that Dr. McDougall’s line of soups are low in sodium and come with spice packets that help diners season their soup to their tastes.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Bellatti recommends the San Gennaro brand of polenta, which is packed in a tube and can be easily heated.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Natural peanut butters are generally made with just peanuts and salt and are a good alternative to brands that include preservatives. The oil separation is normal and can be stirred back into the peanut butter.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Uncle Ben’s Brown Basmati Ready Rice is cooked in 90 seconds in the microwave.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Seeds of Change’s quinoa and brown rice with garlic also cooks in 90 seconds using the microwave, similar to the Uncle Ben’s brand.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)