Good Advice

Cooking 101 – Cooking Tips
Eating Healthy When Eating Out
Food Psychology – How why you eat is just as important as what you eat
Aisle Education: Tips for the grocery store
Drinking on the Job – How to Stay Hydrated
Learn Your Labels – A Twelve Step Program
The Secrets To Success

Aisle Education: Tips For The Grocery Store

If you get anything out of reading this week’s article, it is simply this: stick to the perimeter of the store. Asides from whole grains, the middle aisles contain mostly processed, packaged, and preserved foods. While that protein bar or canned vegetable may seem like healthy choice, open up the bar and crack open the can one year from now and chances are both will taste equally delicious as they do today. What does that tell you? If it isn’t breaking down on the shelf, chances are it isn’t easily breaking down in your body. Although once and a while these are ok, your best bet are fresh foods along the perimeter of the store.

Here’s some more aisle education:

• Be organized – this saves time and a repeat trip.
  
• Always shop on a full stomach.
  
• Always keep a running grocery list at home. Write down an item as soon as you run out.
  
• Plan your week’s meals ahead and shop accordingly.
  
• Shop only from your list in the stores.
  
• Basic foods (produce, meats, dairy, and whole grain bread) are displayed along the perimeter of the store.
  
• The middle rows contain mostly processed, lower fiber foods. Enter the danger zone only for such staples as extra-virgin olive oil, oats, and other whole grains. Skip the snack aisle altogether.
  
• Read labels carefully.
  
• Follow the thumbnail rule for packaged foods. Even organic and natural foods can contain lots of ingredients, indicating that they are more processed. Some ingredient lists are long due to the addition of vitamins and minerals. Measure the ingredient list next to your thumbnail. If the list is long then your nail, less than an inch, and contains anything you do not recognize or cannot pronounce, take a pass
  
• Beware of trans fatty acids, partially hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup. If either of these ingredients is listed as the first or second ingredient, consider buying something else.
  
• Look for organic dairy products, eggs, and poultry which are free range and free from hormones.
  
• Give yourself time to shop in order to make the best choices.
  
• Suggested stores to shop at: Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, People’s Market, Sherwyn’s, area produce stores, and Treasure Island. Many food products recommended can be found in standard grocery stores such as the Jewel or Dominick’s. Ask employees for assistance when looking for items.