Shopping for Healthy Groceries Made Simple
Although various brands of food spend millions of dollars a year advertising foods that aren't necessarily healthy choices, there are healthy foods out there in your local grocery store, waiting to be found. With a few tips, a smart shopper should be able to find good buys that are good for the wallet, as well as the heart.
When it comes to types of food and brand items, grocery stores offer their shoppers a lot of choices. So many choices can oftentimes be daunting. Shoppers do not have to be discouraged, however.
Before you go to the store, create a grocery list. You can't eat in a healthy way if you don't have all the ingredients you need for your meal. This can also save confusion, later, when you're in the store.
As you're making out your list and planning your menu, remember the food pyramid. Making sure that you have the correct amounts of vegetables, whole grains, dairy, fruits, lean meat, poultry, fish, nuts, and beans is important to your overall health.
Try to incorporate lots of fresh fruit and produce into your diet. This means fewer canned fruits and vegetables. They don't have to be organic, either. Try your local farmer's market to get locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Although the taste might take some time to get used to, try using whole grained rice and pasta when cooking. These foods contain a lot of fiber, which is good for you.
For your meat choices, the best options are lean cuts. You also want to try to stay away from poultry with skins. For fish, salmon is generally a good bet because aside from being inexpensive, it does not usually have that "fishy" taste that can turn people off.
You don't have to blow most of your grocery budget on meats, either. The USDA only recommends that 1/4 of your plate be filled with protein. By protein, that includes eggs, tofu, beans, and nuts, too. The rest can go to fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
The healthiest food options are usually located around the edges of the store. This is where you will find your breads, produce, and meats. The junk food aisles tend to be in the center of the store.
When you're purchasing canned food, try to look for cans that have low sodium. You should also try to look for fruits that are packaged in fruit juice.
Think about the season when you buy fruits and vegetables. Items that are in season generally taste better and are less expensive. However, some fruits, and especially berries, can be easily frozen. If you stock up on them when they are in season, you will have a tasty treat later down the road.
Snacking might have a bad reputation, but it can actually be good for you, as long as you don't overdo it. When you pick out your snack foods, make sure you that you include both healthy and unhealthy snacks. Along with your ice cream and cookies, be sure to include nuts, apples, and bananas as well.
Lastly, pre-packaged food is almost always in sodium and saturated fats. It always makes more sense, when trying to shop for healthy choices, to buy fresh ingredients and prepare the meal yourself. It might take a little bit more time, but in the end you spend about the same amount of money and you have a much healthier meal. - 17274
When it comes to types of food and brand items, grocery stores offer their shoppers a lot of choices. So many choices can oftentimes be daunting. Shoppers do not have to be discouraged, however.
Before you go to the store, create a grocery list. You can't eat in a healthy way if you don't have all the ingredients you need for your meal. This can also save confusion, later, when you're in the store.
As you're making out your list and planning your menu, remember the food pyramid. Making sure that you have the correct amounts of vegetables, whole grains, dairy, fruits, lean meat, poultry, fish, nuts, and beans is important to your overall health.
Try to incorporate lots of fresh fruit and produce into your diet. This means fewer canned fruits and vegetables. They don't have to be organic, either. Try your local farmer's market to get locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Although the taste might take some time to get used to, try using whole grained rice and pasta when cooking. These foods contain a lot of fiber, which is good for you.
For your meat choices, the best options are lean cuts. You also want to try to stay away from poultry with skins. For fish, salmon is generally a good bet because aside from being inexpensive, it does not usually have that "fishy" taste that can turn people off.
You don't have to blow most of your grocery budget on meats, either. The USDA only recommends that 1/4 of your plate be filled with protein. By protein, that includes eggs, tofu, beans, and nuts, too. The rest can go to fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
The healthiest food options are usually located around the edges of the store. This is where you will find your breads, produce, and meats. The junk food aisles tend to be in the center of the store.
When you're purchasing canned food, try to look for cans that have low sodium. You should also try to look for fruits that are packaged in fruit juice.
Think about the season when you buy fruits and vegetables. Items that are in season generally taste better and are less expensive. However, some fruits, and especially berries, can be easily frozen. If you stock up on them when they are in season, you will have a tasty treat later down the road.
Snacking might have a bad reputation, but it can actually be good for you, as long as you don't overdo it. When you pick out your snack foods, make sure you that you include both healthy and unhealthy snacks. Along with your ice cream and cookies, be sure to include nuts, apples, and bananas as well.
Lastly, pre-packaged food is almost always in sodium and saturated fats. It always makes more sense, when trying to shop for healthy choices, to buy fresh ingredients and prepare the meal yourself. It might take a little bit more time, but in the end you spend about the same amount of money and you have a much healthier meal. - 17274
About the Author:
For even more suggestions on how to make up an effective healthy grocery list, go to 4GrocerySavings.com to learn how to successfully shop for healthy groceries.
posted by X - Men at
1:38 AM
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