Pancakes are a treat, especially on weekends or during school breaks when the morning meal isn’t so rushed. To make the healthiest choice when comparing pancakes, you want to look for brands with the highest amount of fibre, says Shauna Lindzon, a consulting dietitian in Toronto. “Most have similar ingredients, but you can definitely boost the nutritional value by adding fruit into the mixture (like blueberries, raspberries or sliced apple).” Here’s how the following mixes, which required milk and eggs, fared with Nicole Defreitas and her three kids—Joshua, 8, Jared, 6, and Jada, 3—from Oakville, Ont.

aunt jemima – original pancake & waffle mix

Nutrients* per 34 g: 110 calories, 0.4 g fat (0 g saturated, 0 g trans), 0 mg cholesterol, 430 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (1 g fibre, 4 g sugars), 3 g protein, 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin C, 10% calcium, 6% iron. $3.49

Family says: oshua asked if these were the ones they usually ate. Jared said,“These are good too, mommy, but I like the white and green box (PC) better.” Mom Nicole, who had used the brand before, thought they were the fluffiest.

Nutritionist says: This mix does have artificial flavour added. It’s also the least natural out of the bunch. If you are looking for the lowest-fat pancakes, these pancakes ring in at less than half a gram of fat per two-pancake serving.

Final Grade: B

Note: ratings are based on a combination of taste and nutritional value.

* in unprepared mix

Photo by Carlo Mendoza