W hen you go grocery shopping, do you follow a regular pattern, buying the same foods each time?

If so, you could be missing out on some special products that could add some "spice" to your meals... and that are good for you, too.

Bottom Line/Health asked Suzanne Havala, a registered dietitian who leads consumers on "healthy shopping" tours of supermarkets nationwide, to take us down the aisles...

BAKED GOODS SECTION

Angel food cake. This nonfat cake is an excellent choice for dessert whether you buy it ready-made or make it from a mix.

Angel food cake contains lots of sugar, but sugar's no villain if it's used as an occasional sweet treat.

The other primary ingredients (egg whites and flour) are benign. And -- it's usually made without preservatives. Check the list of ingredients to be sure.

Try it: Cut into chunks and tossed with fruit salad or drizzled with nonfat chocolate syrup. Or -- top a cake with icing made from skim milk and confectioners' sugar.

Fig bars. Figs are rich sources of fiber, vitamins and iron. That makes Fig Newtons and similar products a better choice than most of the new generation of ostensibly healthful cookies, which are comparatively devoid of nutrients.

Try one: With skim milk for a healthy dessert or snack.

CANNED GOODS SECTION

Canned beans. Besides being low in fat, beans are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. They're also chockablock with fiber -- 10 g to 15 g per cup. That's roughly half the amount an adult needs each day.

I keep several varieties on hand, including navy beans, garbanzos (chickpeas) and kidney beans.

Try them: As a stand-in for meat in Mexican dishes. Or -- fashion a nutritious and filling main course by adding a can of beans and a handful of frozen vegetables to a favorite soup.

CEREAL SECTION

Flavored instant oatmeal. If you're pressed for time in the morning, this is a great way to get a hot, wholesome breakfast.

Watch out -- some varieties of instant oatmeal are loaded with artificial flavors and colors.

I like McCann's Instant Irish Oatmeal packets in the maple and brown sugar flavors.

Try it: With a handful of chopped dates or apricots. Or -- stir in a spoonful of applesauce and sprinkle with cinnamon.

CONDIMENTS SECTION

Chutney. Most people think of this tangy spread -- made from fruit, onions and spices -- as a condiment for Indian food. In fact, it also makes a flavorful -- and fat-free -- substitute for mayonnaise or barbecue sauce.

Try it: On a turkey and tomato sandwich on whole wheat. Or -- use it as a topping for grilled chicken.

DELI SECTION

Lavash bread. This Middle Eastern bread comes in almost flat tortilla-like loaves up to two feet long. It's low in fat and extremely versatile.

Try it: Rolled around a filling made of hummus, alfalfa sprouts and grated carrots.

HEALTH-FOOD SECTION

Pinto bean flakes. With a little water, these flakes make a tasty paste that can be used in a variety of ways.

Try it: As a dip for fresh vegetables. Also good in tacos. For a healthful sandwich, mix with scallions, spinach, grated carrots, cilantro and salsa on a whole-wheat tortilla.

Soy milk. Soy milk has two great advantages over cow's milk -- it's full of health-promoting phytochemicals... and it can be safely consumed by individuals who are lactose-intolerant.

If you tried soy milk before but didn't like the taste, try vanilla-flavored soy milk, like that sold under the name Eden Soy Extra.

Try it: On cereal or cup-for-cup in any recipe that calls for milk. If you use soy milk in your coffee, pour it into the cup first to keep it from curdling.

KOSHER SECTION

Matzo. This large, low-fat cracker makes a good alternative to buttery-type crackers. Matzo is available in several varieties, including whole wheat.

Try it: As a "spoon" to scoop up vegetable chili (see page 14)... or spread with all-fruit jelly as a sweet snack.

PRODUCE SECTION

Kale. Unlike iceberg lettuce, this flavorful green is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Try it: In a salad or sauteed in olive oil and minced garlic. Serve it alone or atop pasta with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

Persimmon. This exotic fruit looks something like an orange tomato and tastes like a buttery peach. It's packed with cancer-fighting beta-carotene and other nutrients.

Try it: Eaten raw out of hand, like an apple, or as a tasty addition to fruit salad.

Tofu. Cholesterol-free and now available in low-fat varieties, tofu is an excellent substitute for eggs in all sorts of recipes.

Try it: In baked goods. Blend with liquid ingredients (1/4 cup tofu equals one egg).

SPICE SECTION

Molly McButter. I usually have a bias against fake food products, but these butter-flavored sprinkles add no fat, taste great and are made from natural ingredients.

They do contain sodium, however, so watch out if you're trying to limit sodium consumption.

Try it: Instead of butter or margarine on steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes.