Sorry, Ritz: Consumer Reports' Highest-Rated Healthy Cracker Comes From This Old-School Brand

There are about a bajillion crackers to choose from at the grocery store, and Ritz has long been a go-to for customers (despite cracker recalls that affected millions). However, Ritz wasn't a top pick in Consumer Reports' healthy snack ratings. The brand's whole wheat crackers were beat by a hearty shredded wheat cracker from the same parent company, Nabisco. Triscuit Reduced Fat Crackers earned the highest score among the 14 varieties in the ranking, with an overall score of 68. The lowest-scoring cracker brand earned a 39, while Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers landed in the 10th spot and scored a 53.

The criteria that guided the verdict included a sensory score, which considered flavor and texture, a nutrition score, and the value. Both the Triscuits and Ritz crackers earned four out of five points in the sensory category, but Triscuits earned four points for nutrition while Ritz only earned three. The winning crackers' fiber, lower sodium, and zero-sugar content helped them stand out among the other products tested.

Though the exact details of judging aren't shared, Consumer Reports described Triscuit Reduced Fat Crackers this way: "Crispy, crunchy woven squares that are somewhat coarse with residual shreds. Toasted wheat flavor, some fat, and salt, but a well-rounded flavor." Nabisco has owned the brand since 1928, and the first Triscuits were created back in 1900.  More than a century later, a similar wheat-based recipe is still bringing the crunch, flavor, and nutrition.

Whole wheat products are generally healthier than products that primarily contain refined grains, as they provide more fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. While Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers are marketed as whole wheat, the first ingredient — unbleached enriched flour — is a refined grain. Although whole grain wheat follows, the total amount of fiber in a ½-ounce serving of five crackers is only 1 gram. By comparison, Reduced Fat Triscuits contain only three simple ingredients, with the first being whole grain wheat; it contributes 4 grams of fiber in a 1-ounce serving of six crackers. Triscuits also contain 3 grams of protein, compared to just 1 gram in Ritz.

While the amount of sodium in a serving of Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers is lower than the winning Triscuit cracker — 120 milligrams compared to 150 milligrams — Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers also contain 2 grams of added sugar, while a serving of Reduced Fat Triscuits contains none.

If you're looking for a heartier savory cracker, Triscuit is an easy swap for Ritz in just about any situation (except, maybe, if you're making two-ingredient peanut butter stuffed, chocolate-covered Ritz crackers). The sturdy texture of Triscuits makes it suitable and satisfying for savory pairings like with cheese, dips, spreads, or topping, or simply enjoying straight from the box.