The best products of 2007

The federal government says you should eat at least three to five servings of it per day.

It can go from package to plate in less than five minutes.

Its company's founder was a frozen-food visionary in more than one way.

Bonnie says it's delicious as is — although Carolyn says butter makes it even better.

What is it?

Only the best new food product of 2007, in our humble joint opinion, informed by the more than 153 new products we taste-tested this year.

We will name and explain that Golden Shopping Cart Award winner in a few minutes. First we'd like to build suspense with a list of our individual best-of-the-year product recommendations in this, our annual end-of-year survey and roundup column, now newly improved with a riddle!

Double forks down

1. PediaSure NutriPals Bars and Drinks. Nutritionally fortified flavored "milk" and "marshmallow treats" that Bonnie disliked for their expense and additives, and Carolyn, for their soy smell and taste. In other words, these are no pals o' ours.

2. Flat Earth Baked Fruit and Veggie Crisps. Despite the name, these are made mainly of rice flour and potato flakes and not real fruits and vegetables, which have lots more nutrients, says Bonnie. The fruit ones are as wrongheaded as the original flat-Earthers were, says Carolyn.

3. Tropicana Fruit Squeeze Water. The artificial colors and sweeteners were a turnoff for Bonnie. But Carolyn didn't think these contained enough artificial sweeteners or fruit flavor.

4. Taco Bell Home Originals Bowlz. Big, boring (and misspelled) bowls of rice and beans that should be marketed as vegetarian dishes, as they contained so little meat. As it is, the chicken and steak flavor names are tantamount to fraud.

5. Campbell's Chunky Fully Loaded Soups. These are actually canned meals along the lines of Dinty Moore, fully loaded with calories and fat — but not flavor.

6. Nestea Green Tea Enviga. Carbonated, canned green tea that's supposed to burn calories. Bonnie says the only thing it's sure to burn is your money. Carolyn was burnt about its green tea taste.

Carolyn's favorites