"What's safe and cheap in today's market? Food stocks top our buy list this month," suggests leading value advisor Richard Band.

The editor of Profitable Investing explains, "Here are two of my favorite buys, each with the potential to rack up a total return (price gain plus dividends) of at least 15% in the coming year: Nestle (NSRGY) and PepsiCo (PEP).

"In looking for new opportunities, we will continue to focus on a combination of value, growth and financial strength ... all key attributes of PepsiCo (PEP), our latest featured investment," says money manager and newsletter advisor Jim Stack.

The editor of Investech Market Analyst explains, "At first mention of its name, PepsiCo might not be a company that peaks your interest. It's often viewed as just another stodgy stock that depends on its flagship soft drink line to carry the business along.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"PepsiCo (PEP), my top pick for 2010, remains underrated by the market," says Jim Stack.

The money manager and editor of InvesTech Market Analyst suggests, "All too often, it's viewed as a stodgy soft drink company, fully reliant on its namesake soda line. That's a misconception." Here, he sets the record straight.

"The silver lining to the market decline is that it has created tremendous buying opportunities," says Gregory Dorsey.

The contributing editor to Stephen Leeb's Income Performance Report adds, "Consumer staples are set to sail through a tough economy." Here, he takes a look at PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) and Heinz (NYSE: HNZ).

"From Gatorade and Tropicana to Frito-Lay and Quaker Foods, PepsiCo has built a $42 billion global empire marketing drinks and snacks that consumers are likely to buy through thick and thin making PepsiCo the classic consumer staples company.

"Over the next several years, we expect PepsiCo's earnings to grow at an average annual rate of 10% or more. The stock currently pays a 3.0% yield, and management has raised the dividend for more than 30 years in a row.

"The company has a strong balance sheet with low long-term debt. Best of all, Pepsi stock now trades at its lowest valuation (about 13 times next year's expected earnings) since 1990, making it a compelling buy now.

"I think now is a particularly opportune time to buy the world's largest fast-food company, YUM! Brands (NYSE: YUM) ," says Louis Basenese.

The associate investment director and contributing editor to The Oxford Club observes, "YUM Brands operates 35,000 restaurants under the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands." Here's his review of the firm's outlook, including its expanding role in China.

"For starters, YUM keeps extending its streak of impressive results. For the seventh quarter in a row it beat expectations. Earnings per share increased 16% for the quarter and 28% year-to-date. Not to be overlooked either is the fact YUM raised guidance. Again.

"This quarter, fewer than 5% of companies in the S&P 500 can boast this triple whammy (beating earnings and revenue estimates and raising guidance). Ironically, while most of the other triple-whammy stocks enjoyed hefty single- and double-digit run-ups on the announcements, YUM sold off.

"And here's where I think most investors are missing the boat, and once again focusing too heavily on the short term. Yes, YUM's in a pinch. Food costs are rising and consumers are spending less.