2 Stamps To Look For When Shopping for Healthier Foods

Between 1975 and 2008, the number of products in the average supermarket exploded from about 9,000 to nearly 47,000 to the Food Marketing Institute, a trade group tracking food trends.

With so many options available, choosing healthier products can feel overwhelming—and reading every label can take time you might not have.

Thankfully, a few trusted organizations have created easy-to-spot stamps to help guide your choices toward better-for-you foods.

Here are two important marks to look for on grocery shelves.

1. The American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Certification

Launched in 1995 by the American Heart Association (AHA), the Heart-Check mark helps you quickly identify foods that support heart health.

To earn this certification, a product must:

• Meet strict nutritional standards based on FDA and USDA requirements for heart disease health claims.
  

• Align with the AHA’s own science-backed nutrition guidelines.
  

• Pass lab testing when nutrient levels are close to certification limits.
  

These standards were developed with input from expert volunteers and are designed to help consumers find products that don't increase the risk of heart disease.

2. The American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life Mark

Nutrition labels are regulated by the FDA, so you can trust facts like calorie and fat content.

However, marketing claims—like “diabetes friendly”—aren’t always verified by the FDA and may not be accurate.

That’s where the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s Better Choices for Life mark comes in.

Products featuring this mark have been reviewed by the ADA’s nutrition and science experts to ensure they meet specific nutrition standards for people managing diabetes or wanting to reduce risk.

This mark also extends beyond food, covering diabetes care products found in pharmacies—such as special bandages, treatments, and supplies. Any health claims related to diabetes management on these products are evaluated by the ADA to ensure they are backed by scientific evidence, so you can shop with confidence.

Why These Stamps Matter

In today’s world, where grocery stores are packed with thousands of choices, these stamps help simplify your shopping by highlighting products vetted by respected health organizations.

Look for the Heart-Check mark for heart-healthy options, and the Better Choices for Life mark for diabetes-friendly foods and care products.

Both offer peace of mind that you’re making informed, healthier choices—even when time is tight.