Grocery Store Tips

Article by Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, CSO
Posted on September 09, 2008

Healthy eating can be challenging if your kitchen is filled with sinful goodies such as potato chips, cookies, and ice cream. Improve your family’s eating habits by planning ahead for your next trip to the grocery store. Begin by making a list. Get your family involved and plan meals you want to prepare for the following week. Next, make sure you eat a healthy snack before heading to the store. Shopping on an empty stomach may tempt you to purchase anything that is not nailed down. While at the store, stick to the perimeter where healthy items such as fresh produce, lean meats, and low fat dairy can be found. Limit time spent in the aisles, which contain processed, sugary, “junk” foods. When choosing fruits and vegetables, select those without blemishes and that are firm and ripe. Get your kids involved and have them choose a new “fruit/vegetable of the week”. Keep in mind that frozen fruits/vegetables can be just as healthy as fresh and last a lot longer. Select lean meats such as chicken and turkey, and include fresh fish such as salmon or tilapia. Check the “sell by” date and make sure your meats have a fresh smell and are not slimy or sticky. Finally, choose healthy family snacks. Instead of chips, candy, or soda, purchase low fat milk, reduced sugar juice, yogurt, dried fruit, almonds, and whole-wheat crackers with hummus instead.