When it comes to running shoes, you gotta get some that will support your most intense workouts or you could end up in pain or injured. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which ones are best? Our friends over at Consumer Reports’ ShopSmart magazine did the – yes – legwork for you.

They had nine men and women run in 12 pairs of sneakers each (24 pairs total), then had lab experts test the shoes for breathability, cushioning, flexibility, stability and weight. The same model won for both men and women – it was also one of the most expensive pair tested.

ShopSmart says, “Avoid buying the cheapest shoe you can find. The least expensive model we tested, the Champion Wonder C9 (from Target), was at the bottom of the heap in our tests. This is one place where it can pay to splurge, especially if you’re a serious runner.”

Here are the Top 5 Running Shoes from Consumer Reports ShopSmart:

Women’s:
First Place: Nike Air Zoom Vomero+ 2
Price: $120
Why: Best cushioning of all shoes tested. Testers said it gave them the right amount of stability.

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Second Place: Nike Air Pegasus+ 2007
Price: $85
Why: Super fit. Cushy, yet stable.

Third Place: Puma Complete Infinitus
Price: $85
Why: Excellent fit and flexibility.

Men’s:
First Place: Nike Air Zoom Vomero+ 2
Price: $120
Why: Cushy, and most testers liked the fit in the toe, heel, and arch.

Second Place: Brooks Glycerin 6
Price: $120
Why: Excellent comfort and breathability.

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And here are a couple of tips from ShopSmart to help you buy the right pair of running shoes:

• Shop at a store that specializes in running shoes.

• Go there dressed to run – wear the socks you usually run in and any orthotics you use.

• Test the shoes you’re considering buying on a treadmill if the store has one. Some stores may even let you run in their parking lot for a bit.

• Try to shop in the afternoon – that’s when your feet are usually their most swollen, so you don’t end up with tight shoes.

• Ask about exchanges and returns – find out if you can run in the shoes for a few days and exchange them if they’re not right for you.

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I’m always looking for ways to get more fiber in my diet. So when I saw the new Fiber One Yogurt at the grocery store, it seemed like just the right combo for me.

Since yogurt doesn’t have any fiber on its own, I usually add granola, nuts, or whole-grain cereal to it to help reach my daily goal. Fiber One Yogurt gets its fiber – 5 grams in each 4-ounce serving – from inulin. Inulin? What’s that, you ask? Even if you haven’t heard of it, you’ve probably been eating it for years. It’s a dietary fiber naturally found in lots of common plant foods like artichokes, wheat, and bananas. It’s also in chicory root, which is specifically being used more and more as a source of inulin in processed foods. Check your labels (look for ‘chicory root’ or ‘inulin’) – you might be surprised. I was!

So, how does Fiber One Yogurt taste? I just tried the Strawberry flavor and really liked it. It’s fruity, smooth, and creamy – you wouldn’t even know there was fiber in it. It also comes in Peach, Vanilla, and Key Lime Pie.

Some other things you might want to know: each serving has 80 calories, which kind of seems like a lot to me for just 4-ounces. And it does contain sugar… by way of ‘high fructose corn syrup’, so keep that in mind if added sugar is something you’re trying to avoid. On the plus side, it has 20% of the Daily Value of fiber.

Here’s a look at Fiber One Yogurt’s nutrition label so you know exactly what you’re getting:

If Fiber One Yogurt is something you want to try, click here for a coupon to save $1.25 – it costs $3.29 for a six-pack. Let me know what you think of it!

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What are the best rated hot chocolates? I gotta know because nothing makes me feel as warm on a cold night – or day – than a comforting mug of hot chocolate. It’s definitely something I stock in my pantry this time of year. So, when I found out Consumer Reports (CR) just rated ten popular ones, I thought I would share.

Sensory panelists tasted 10 cocoas prepared according to the directions on the package. They rated two brands as excellent: Ghirardelli and Cacao Reserve. The panelists note both are more expensive than many, and the Ghirardelli cocoas have more calories when prepared with milk, as is recommended.

The panelists also found when they made the Cacao Reserve with milk instead of water, it made the flavor more “milk-chocolaty.” And in the lower-rated brands, adding milk added flavor and “covered some defects” like the thin consistency the panelists noticed.

The complete ratings (per 6 or 8 ounce serving) include the cost and calories of the cocoa mix plus any extras called for in the recipes, e.g. milk and sugar. Here’s the list in order of overall quality:

EXCELLENT: Full, rich, thick, flavorful, chocolaty, with a big dairy flavor

• Ghirardelli Double Chocolate: 262 calories, 6.3 grams of fat, 63-cents
• Cacao Reserve Mayan Blend by Hershey’s: 140 calories, 2 grams of fat, 53-cents

VERY GOOD: Swiss Miss more chocolaty, Hershey’s more milky

• Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation (CR Best Buy): 150 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 28-cents
• Hershey’s Cocoa (CR Best Buy): 159 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 33-cents

GOOD: Some thin, mild, or oily; some reddish. Marshmallows or whipped cream would help

• Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate: 120 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 22-cents
• Land O’Lakes Cocoa Classics Supreme: 140 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 64-cents
• Droste Holland Cocoa: 185 calories, 6.8 grams of fat, 60-cents
• Hershey’s Good Night Kisses Milk Chocolate: 150 calories, 3 grams of fat, 49-cents
• Nestle Rich Chocolate: 80 calories, 3 grams of fat, 26-cents
• Nestle Milk Chocolate: 80 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 24-cents

The bottom line from Consumer Reports: “You can’t go wrong with the excellent Ghirardelli or Cacao Reserve. Two very good, less-expensive alternatives are Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation and Hershey’s Cocoa.”

Okay, so I have to admit – my usual hot chocolate of choice is near the bottom of this ratings barrel and I feel like I’m missing out on some delicious cocoa. The trade-off – I am saving myself some calories. But is the temptation of tastier hot chocolate worth it? Maybe… in moderation, of course.

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