Petite Brussels Sprouts are the only thing keeping my gut from total rebellion

Back in my day, vegetable cakes were mostly flour and mystery fillers, but these Brussels sprouts cakes are a pragmatic evolution. The ingredient list is impressively transparent, featuring red bliss potatoes, scallions, and roasted garlic for a flavor profile that sounds genuinely gourmet. With a stellar 9.9 score and only 1g of sugar, they are a sophisticated choice for a quick office lunch side. The use of potato flakes and arrowroot powder suggests a texture that holds together well without being heavy. However, a notable trade-off is the inclusion of expeller-pressed canola oil; while functional for crisping, some purists might have preferred a different fat source. It is a solid, modern take on a classic veggie patty.

There is something nostalgic about petite vegetables; they remind me of the heirloom varieties we used to see more often in local gardens. These tiny sprouts are as simple as it gets—just Brussels sprouts on the label. With a 9.8 score and 2g of sugar per 100g, they offer a slightly sweeter profile than the zero-sugar versions, which may make them a much easier sell for the kids' dinner table. They likely offer a more tender, less fibrous bite than their full-sized counterparts. The honest trade-off here is that their small size means they can overcook and turn mushy quite quickly if you aren't watching the stove closely. It's a reliable, single-ingredient staple.

You cannot go wrong with a classic, and these Brussels sprouts are the definition of a kitchen workhorse. They have earned a solid 9.8 score by keeping things uncomplicated, just like the produce we used to buy before everything came pre-seasoned. These are perfect for a Sunday roast prep where you want to control every spice and drop of oil yourself. They carry 2g of sugar, providing that natural earthiness that balances well with sea salt. The honest trade-off here is the labor; you will be doing all the trimming and cleaning yourself, which isn't always ideal when you are in a rush. Still, for the price and purity, they are hard to beat.

This roasting mix feels like a modern convenience that actually makes sense for a busy lifestyle. Combining halved sprouts with butternut squash and onions creates a flavor profile that is reminiscent of a traditional autumn harvest. It is a fantastic sheet pan shortcut for a late-night healthy snack when you are too exhausted to chop three different vegetables. The ingredients are clean and whole, though the sugar hits 3g per 100g—the highest on our list—likely due to the natural sugars in the squash and onions. While the variety is great, the trade-off is that the different vegetables may cook at different rates, potentially leaving the onions softer than the hearty sprouts.

For the purists out there, this is the gold standard of no-nonsense nutrition. Seeing a 0g sugar count on the label is rare these days, and it earns this product a near-perfect 9.9 score. It is just Brussels sprouts, nothing else added, which is a pragmatic choice for anyone strictly monitoring their intake for a gym bag meal prep. The texture is likely firm and robust, standing up well to high-heat searing or steaming. However, the lack of sugar means you may find these a bit more bitter than the other options on this list. If you are used to the sweeter, modern hybrids, the raw, earthy punch of these might be a bit of a shock to the system.