(StatePoint) Even savvy shoppers can get overwhelmed sometimes when navigating grocery store aisles. With new items introduced to shelves all the time, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of similar products.When it comes to stocking the shopping cart, you can save time and money knowing that you are buying vetted items that other consumers already love. Luckily, making informed purchase decisions can be easy, thanks to resources like Product of the Year USA, a national survey of 40,000 consumers conducted by Kantar, a global leader in consumer research.“Finding the best products on shelves is as simple as scanning for Product of the Year’s red seal of approval,” says Mike Nolan, CEO of Product of the Year.As the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, Product of the Year USA’s annual list of winners is a valuable resource for anyone looking for standout products.To make grocery shopping a bit simpler, consider the 18 food and beverage winners of 2019, listed by category:• Alcoholic beverage: Strongbow Hard Ciders, 100 Cal Slim Cans• Better for you snack: Gold Emblem abound White Cheddar Flavored Bite-sized Quinoa & Rice Cakes• Bread: ALDI Specially Selected Sliced Sourdough Round• Breakfast: Del Monte Fruit & Oats• Caffeinated product: Java House Cold Brew - Dual Use Liquid Pods• Candy bar: Butterfinger• Convenience meal: BUSH’S Savory Beans• Cookie: OREO THINS BITES• Fresh entrée: Cooked Perfect Fresh Meatballs• Frozen Entrée: Lean Cuisine Origins• Gum: Tic Tac Gum• Healthy beverage: ZYN – Holistic Wellness Beverage• Ice cream: Nightfood Ice Cream• Kids novelty snack: Kinder Joy• Side dish: Idahoan Family Size Flavored Mashed Potatoes• Sugar confections: Black Forest Gummy Bears• Vegetarian entrée: ALDI Earth Grown Chickenless Patties or Tenders• Wine: ALDI Intermingle Red BlendFor more information about the 2019 Product of the Year winners, visit productoftheyearusa.com.Want to spend your money wisely on everyday staples that other shoppers already know and love? Don’t navigate the grocery store without some guidance. Use resources that can help you make better choices.Photo Credit: (c) Syda Productions / stock.Adobe.comTips to Make Smart Choices When Grocery Shopping