Eating Healthy: More Ideas
Step 1: Plan ahead
Decide how many major meals you'll be shopping for. Then, consider the number of food items you'll need for breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Take an inventory of your staples, such as low-fat milk, fresh fruit and whole grains (brown rice, cereals and pasta).
Step 2: Make a list
A list will make your shopping trip more efficient and help you avoid impulse purchases. Try to stick only to what's on your list, but don't let your list prevent you from looking for or trying new healthy foods.
Step 3. Shop the perimeter of the store for fresh foods
Picture your grocery store in your mind. Chances are the fresh produce section, meat and seafood departments, and dairy case are all located on the perimeter. Great, because fresh foods are generally better than ready-to-eat foods because you can control what extra ingredients you add.
Step 4. Shop after a good meal
It can be hard to resist buying high-fat, high-calorie snack items, especially when you're hungry. So set yourself up for success and shop after you've eaten a good meal. If you do find yourself shopping on an empty stomach, drink some water or buy a piece of fruit to munch on.
Step 5. Read food labels
The nutrition label is an at-a-glance method for verifying how a food fits into a typical weight management plan. Each label contains information pertaining to serving size, calories, nutrients and Daily Values. This information can inform you about foods that are healthy, and warn you of those that aren't so healthy — often those that are highly processed or refined. If you're not sure how to make sense of the label, check out our Nutrition Label Reader under the Interactive Tools tab!
Fruits and Veggies Matter!