Blue is Better

Diabetes Food Labeling Program

Rosauers Supermarkets, the American Diabetes Association and regional Diabetes Educators have partnered to create the Blue is Better food labeling program. As an industry pioneer in the Northwest, Rosauers developed the Blue is Better program to help those living with diabetes and those at risk, identify healthier food choices.

Criteria that considered the fat, fiber, sodium, carbohydrate levels and the nutrient density of each food group was established by healthcare professionals. Each product in the store is then checked against the criteria. Qualifying items have blue shelf tags and are signed with Blue is Better point of sale material to indicate that selection of the product is a healthier food choice for you and your family.

What do we mean by healthy? One important consideration is nutrition density which means getting the most nutrient bang for your shopping buck. A nutrient dense food will have more healthy value per calorie consumed. That’s an important consideration for people managing their diabetes and for those trying to live a healthier lifestyle! Look for the Blue is Better shelf tags next time you shop Rosauers.

*As with any health-related program, consult with your diabetes educator or your physician to tailor a plan that is right for your individual needs.

Healthy Choices

A variety of criteria was considered in determining which foods provided the best in nutritional density. Several of those factors are limited for each food group. But we’ve made it easy to identify healthier choices, just look for our Blue is Better sign on the shelf!

Meat

• Poultry — Skinless
• Fish Fillets — (fresh or frozen)
• Seafood — (fresh or frozen) Shrimp, Crab or Scallops
• Pork — Tenderloins
• Beef — Top Round, Sirloin or Flank
• Turkey — Ground Turkey Breast
• Luncheon Meats, Bacon or Sausage — Less than 300mg. Sodium, Less than 3g. Fat

Frozen

• Entrees — Less than 500mg. Sodium and Less than 5g. Fat. Smaller than 7-oz. Serving 
• Meals — Less than 800mg. Sodium and Less than 10g. Fat
• Potatoes — Less than 300mg. Sodium and Less than 2g. Fat
• Vegetables — Plain, No Sauce
• Fruit — Plain, No Sauce or Sugar Added
• Popsicles — Sugar Free

Dairy

• Milk — Fat Free or 1%
• Eggs — Egg Substitutes (or use egg whites only)
• Yogurt — 20g. or Less Carbohydrates
• Cottage Cheese — Fat Free or 2%
• Cheese — 3g. Fat or Less per Serving
• Cream Cheese — Fat Free
• Grated Dry Cheese
• Margarine/Spreads — Water or Liquid Oils as First Ingredient, 1g. Saturated Fat

Canned & Packaged

• Soups (Canned or Boxed) — Less than 300mg. Sodium and Less than 3g. Fat
• Tomato Products — Less than 300mg. Sodium and Less than 3g. Fat
• Gelatin — Sugar Free
• Pudding — Sugar Free
• Vegetables (Canned) — Less than 300mg. Sodium (rinse with cold water before preparing)
• Fruits (Canned) — 15g. Carbohydrates or Less (in own juice or light syrup, rinse with water before using)
• Pumpkin (Canned) — Less than 300mg. Sodium and Less than 3g. Fat
• Beans (Dry) — No Added Sugar
• Beans — Less than 300mg. Sodium, Less than 3g. Fat and 2g. Fiber or More (if using canned beans, rinse before using to decrease sodium)
• Rice Side Dishes (Packaged) — Less than 300mg. Sodium, Less than 3g. Fat and 2g. Fiber or More
• Pasta (Packaged) — Less than 300mg. Sodium, Less than 3g. Fat and 2g. Fiber or More
• Tuna/Chicken — In Water, Less than 300mg. Sodium and 3g. Fat Per Serving
• Milk — Fat Free Evaporated, Low Fat or Fat Free Dry Milk, Low Fat Soymilk with Calcium, Vitamin D and B-12

Oils

• Oils — (use sparingly) Canola, Peanut or Olive
• Cooking Sprays — All

Bread & Grains 

• Bread — More than 3g. Fiber
• Cereal — More than 3g. Fiber
• Flour — Whole Wheat, More than 3g. Fiber
• Pasta — Spinach or Whole Grain, More than 3g. Fiber 
• Rice (Brown) — More than 2g. Fiber

Condiments

• Spices and Dried Herbs — Pure Spices with No Sugar or Salt Added and Mrs. Dash Products 
• Ketchup — No Salt Added
• Mustards — All
• Mayonnaise — Fat Free
• Salad Dressing — Fat Free
• Jelly — Sugar Free or Low Sugar
• Vinegar — All
• Sugar Substitutes — Equal or Splenda, Etc.
• Salsa — Less than 300mg. Sodium
• Syrup — Sugar Free, Less than 10g. Carbohydrates
• Gravy — Less than 300mg. Sodium and 3g. Fat

Fresh & Dried Fruit

• Fresh — All Except Coconuts and up to 1/4 of an Avocado
• Dried — Discuss with Diabetes Educator

Fresh Vegetables 

• Fresh — All
• Bagged Lettuce Salads

Beverages

• Water — Plain, Flavored or Sparkling, Less than 10 Calories
• Tea — Herbal or Decaffeinated
• Cocoa — Sugar Free 

Snacks 

• Crackers — Less than 300mg. Sodium and 3g. Fat
• Rice Cakes — Less than 300mg. Sodium and 3g. Fat
• Popcorn — Suggest Air Popping with No Butter or Salt
• Nuts/Seeds — Keep Serving Size to 1-2 TBSP or Discuss with Diabetes Educator

Check with your diabetes educator for individualized meal planning.

It took courage and faith to launch a business at a time when America’s economy was turned upside down, and over the years Mr. Rosauer would parlay these traits into one of the most successful and innovative corporations in the Pacific Northwest. In 1938 he sold his first neighborhood store, and with his earnings reinvested in another. A short time later he repeated that process again. Then in 1949, Mr. Rosauer opened the Company’s first – and Spokane’s first – supermarket. It was located at 3rd and Oak, and it incorporated lessons and ideas that had been 15 years in the making. At that time, Rosauers had only about 20 employees. But these dedicated people made the new supermarket an instant success. Interestingly, that first store is still operating, in a space seven times larger than its original size.

Since the first supermarket in 1949, Rosauers has expanded its operations to include conventional Supermarkets, Price Impact Super Stores, and Natural and Organic Markets serving the Inland Pacific Northwest in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.