# FoodCriteria

> Food and drink reviews and buying guides: snacks, beverages, pantry staples, specialty foods, meal kits and subscriptions, with reader codes from brands we trust.

FoodCriteria publishes food reviews, buying guides and reader discount codes. Every review states who the product suits, the current price from the brand's own store, and any active reader code.

## Key pages
- [Reviews](https://foodcriteria.com/reviews): every product we recommend
- [Buying guides](https://foodcriteria.com/guides): how to choose
- [Glossary](https://foodcriteria.com/glossary): food terms defined
- [How we review](https://foodcriteria.com/how-we-review)

## Topics
- [Snacks](https://foodcriteria.com/category/snacks): Chips, bars, nuts, sweets and better-for-you snacks.
- [Beverages](https://foodcriteria.com/category/beverages): Coffee, tea, sparkling drinks, juices and drink mixes.
- [Pantry & specialty](https://foodcriteria.com/category/pantry): Pantry staples, sauces, spices, oils and specialty foods.
- [Meal kits & subscriptions](https://foodcriteria.com/category/meal-kits): Meal kits, prepared meals and food subscription boxes.

## Buying guides
- [Best By vs Use By vs Sell By: What Food Dates Really Mean](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/best-by-vs-use-by-dates): In the US, most food date labels are about quality, not safety, and they aren't required by federal law except on infant formula. 'Best by' and 'best if used by' mean peak quality; 'sell by' is for store stock rotation; 'use by' is the last recommended date for best quality. Many foods are fine after the date if stored properly, but follow use-by dates on perishable items and infant formula, and throw out food that smells, looks or tastes off.
- [Coffee Roast Levels Explained: Light vs Medium vs Dark](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/coffee-roast-levels-explained): Light roasts are brighter and more acidic, with fruity and floral flavors from the bean's origin. Medium roasts balance sweetness, acidity and body. Dark roasts taste bolder, smoky and bittersweet, with less acidity. Caffeine differences between roasts are small; if you measure by weight, they are about the same. Choose by flavor and brew method, and buy whole beans with a recent roast date.
- [How to Choose a Coffee Subscription](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-coffee-subscription): Choose a coffee subscription by matching the coffee format and delivery pace to how much you brew, then check the roast information, shipping cost and terms for changing or stopping deliveries. Whole bean gives you control over the grind, while ground coffee saves a step and should match your brewer. Freshness changes over time after roasting, so look for clear roast or packing dates and store coffee sealed in a cool, dry place.
- [How to Choose a Snack Box for Your Household](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-snack-box): A useful snack box fits your household’s dietary needs, portion preferences and delivery schedule without leaving items unused. Compare the ingredient and allergen information for each item, the mix of sweet and savory choices, package sizes, shipping and how substitutions work. If someone has a food allergy, review each product’s current label and contact the manufacturer when cross-contact details are unclear.
- [How to Choose Healthier Snacks: A Label Checklist](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/how-to-choose-healthier-snacks): For a more filling, better-for-you snack, look for some protein and fiber, low added sugar and moderate sodium, and an ingredient list that starts with whole foods like nuts, whole grains, fruit or dairy. Check the serving size, since many snack bags hold several servings. Pairing protein with fiber, such as apple with peanut butter, keeps you full longer. This is general information, not personal dietary advice.
- [How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label in 60 Seconds](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/how-to-read-a-nutrition-label): Start with the serving size and servings per container, because every number on the label is per serving. Then use percent Daily Value (%DV) as a quick guide: 5% or less is low and 20% or more is high. Aim low on added sugars, sodium and saturated fat, and higher on fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. Finally, read the ingredient list, which is in order by weight.
- [Meal Kit Buying Guide: How to Choose a Meal Delivery Service](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/meal-kit-buying-guide): Choose a meal kit by comparing the real cost per serving including shipping, menu variety for your diet, prep time per recipe, delivery area and how easy it is to skip weeks or cancel. Meal kits (you cook) suit people who want to learn recipes with less shopping; prepared meals (heat and eat) suit people who want minimal effort. Use introductory offers to try a few, and set reminders before the regular price starts.
- [Olive Oil Grades Explained: Extra Virgin vs Virgin vs Light](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/olive-oil-grades-explained): Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest grade: mechanically extracted with no chemical refining, low acidity and good flavor. Virgin olive oil is also unrefined but has slightly more defects. 'Pure,' 'olive oil' and 'light' oils are mostly refined, with milder flavor; 'light' refers to taste, not calories. Buy EVOO in dark glass or tins with a recent harvest date, and store it away from heat and light.
- [Organic Food Labels Explained: USDA Categories](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/organic-food-labels-explained): USDA organic labels use different categories: 100 percent organic, organic, made with organic ingredients and products with less than 70 percent organic content. The categories describe how agricultural ingredients were produced and certified, not a simple nutrition ranking. Check the exact label wording, ingredient list and certifier rather than relying on a green package or a single organic ingredient.
- [Protein Bar Buying Guide: What to Look for on the Label](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/protein-bar-buying-guide): A good protein bar for a snack usually has around 10 to 20 grams of protein, low added sugar, a few grams of fiber and an ingredient list you recognize. Check the protein source (whey, milk, soy, pea or nuts), watch for sugar alcohols that upset some stomachs, and match calories to how you'll use the bar: a snack, a post-workout option or an occasional meal replacement.
- [Tea Types and Caffeine: Black, Green, White, Oolong and Herbal](https://foodcriteria.com/guides/tea-types-and-caffeine): Black, green, white and oolong teas all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, processed differently. Black tea is fully oxidized and strongest in flavor; green tea is unoxidized and grassy; oolong is partly oxidized; white tea is minimally processed. All contain caffeine, generally less than coffee: an 8-ounce cup of black tea has roughly half the caffeine of brewed coffee. Herbal teas such as chamomile and rooibos are naturally caffeine-free.

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