Healthy 5 Tips On How To Shop For Food
Family members mindset on fueling the body can participate in healthy decision-making by helping out in the food choices. Healthy family meals help provide the body with the nutrients needed to function at optimal level and to prevent illness.
Grocery Shopping Tips
All healthy meals start with the ingredients. Here are a few tips to help ensure your grocery store trips are productive. Encourage the whole family to get involved.
1. Stock The Pantry With The Essentials
These foods can be stored for a long period of time and are easy on the wallet! These ingredients can also be easily added to a variety of healthy meals.
- Lentils
- Oats
- Almonds
- Brown Rice
- Whole Wheat Pasta
- Dried Beans (Black, Red, Refried)
- Peanut Butter
- Quinoa, couscous, bulgur, and other grains
- Canned tomatoes
- Vegetable stock
- Canned tuna
- Maise
- Pearl Millet
- Herbs (Dried)
See the Seasonal Produce Guide to learn what fruits and vegetables are available all-year round and what fruits and vegetables should be purchased during specific times of the year.
2. Avoid Shopping When You Are Hungry
When we go shopping on an empty stomach, it is harder to resist temptation. To help avoid buying unhealthy snacks and going over your budget, always plan a shopping trip when your stomach is full.
3. Always Make A List BEFORE Going To The Store
Make it a family activity to plan the menu for next week’s meals. If you make a list before going to the store, you will be less likely to buy ingredients you do not need. In addition, be sure to look through grocery store flyers for coupons and weekly sales to help keep costs down. You can also find coupons online or in your local papers.
4. Spend Your Time On The Perimeter
Once you are in the store, you should spend more time shopping around the perimeter of the store, where the fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products are located. Try to stay away from the aisles in the center, where the store stocks most of the canned, high sugar products, and processed foods.
5. Make Product Comparisons
Not all products are created equal. In addition to price comparison, don’t be afraid to grab containers of similar products from different brands, hold them side-by-side, read, and compare the nutrient content. Just because something has a low-calorie or low-fat label doesn’t mean it is healthier than the generic brand that is less expensive.
Source: Get Fit Together LA
