Healthy living begins with healthy eating and healthy eating begins with healthy shopping...
Regardless of what nutritional program you are following - whether it is low fat, no-sugar, low carbohydrate, or based on some other method - there are always healthier choices that can be made when you are shopping.
Support your nutritional program week-by-week and day-by-day by ensuring that you stock up on the wholesome foods you need for your meals and snacks. Having the right food on hand helps you avoid eating the wrong things such as food, which are too high in fat, calories, sodium, and sugar. Additionally, shopping wisely helps you eat more of the good things like fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Use the suggestions below to avoid supermarket "traps" and help stay on track...
Plan The Shop & Shop The Plan
Put on your 'thinking cap' and make a list of the foods you need before you shop and stick closely to it. Plan your shopping around your favourite meals and recipes & don't be tempted by those wayward specials that may fall outside of the foods best for your program.
HALT! Don't Shop When You're Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired
Heed this word and make sure to eat before you shop to avoid impulse buying or stocking up on items you may regret later.
Begin With Colours
Fill up your shopping cart first in the produce section with lots of vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits. Select a variety of colours, flavours and textures to add interest and variety to your meals. Be adventurous and go for exotic fruits or vegetables that you may not usually choose.
Choose Individual Servings
When buying chicken, fish or meat, get single meal-size servings that you can freeze and use as needed. That way you'll always have good-quality fresh protein on hand and won't be tempted to eat more than your body wants. Likewise, buy fresh vegetables like mini carrots in small packages too. They'll stay fresh and make convenient "on-the-go" snacks.
Read Labels
Supermarket aisles are avenues to greater nutritional knowledge as the food label offers more complete, useful and accurate nutrition information than ever before. Become a fervent 'label reader' and scrutinize packaged foods, dressings and sauces before purchasing.
Avoid The "Aisle Of Weakness"
In all honesty, everyone has their "aisle of weakness"-be it the ice cream, cakes or sweet section. Do yourself a favour and avoid mouth watering temptation by steering completely clear of the entire area. And this "aisle" (or "aisles") is usually found in the centre! So, shop the perimeter of the store first, which is where you find the healthier foods.
Tantalize & Excite Your Taste Buds
Stimulate your palate and your recipes with the inspiration of fresh herbs like basil, ginger, lemongrass and cilantro. In addition, stock up on spices that can literally transform an ordinary meal into an exotic dish. Actively pursue variety. Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only promotes optimal nutrition but also provides us with the 'pleasure factor'.
Don't Feel Deprived
Even though there are certain foods you'll want to avoid on your nutritional program, the supermarket is packed with a great variety of health-friendly food items. By choosing a variety of the foods you enjoy, and watching your portions, you need never feel deprived -no matter what foods you choose. Make moderation your goal, you decide how much and how often. Healthy eating doesn't mean feeling deprived or guilty.
Final Check
Before you check out, ask yourself (honestly!) if there is any item in your shopping cart that you could remove to better support your program. Put yourself and your optimal nutritional program before all else.
When you shop healthily, it is a great contributor to the 'feel good factor'!! Additionally, consider clearing your cupboards and fridge of any foods that don't support your program. With only great-tasting nutritious foods around you can cook up a healthy storm and enjoy your meals & snacks to the fullest -and enjoy the pleasurable aspects of eating and... living!
About The Author
Copyright 2004: Antoinette Mc Donnell
Antoinette is a successful wellness mentor who has been assisting people achieve excellent health through cellular nutrition. For people wanting to lose weight she uses a scientifically proven approach that enables people to boost their energy and to block cravings while they are burning fat and thus losing weight. Visit her website at antoinette@bestshape.info and see what you can do to take control today.
elite cleaning services Des Plaines ..All Diets Work: No Diets WorkHave you lost weight in... Read More
We in the diet and exercise industry have our own... Read More
As I become acquainted with many of our LivingAfterWLS.com community... Read More
Fat does Not Make You Fat. One of the other... Read More
Well, to begin with, there isn't really any one Mediterranean... Read More
There's one thing that most people forget about when it... Read More
Atkins diet was unknown 35 years ago. Though it seems... Read More
Addicted to Restaurants Are you addicted to restaurants? So are... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
Holidays and special events should be a time of great... Read More
The right diet pill should be carefully considered when deciding... Read More
Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More
Make sure that no more than a quarter of your... Read More
Many of us have tried losing weight in the past... Read More
If you have been eating as usual and the pounds... Read More
Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More
Finding Mad Cow in Oregon puts a new wrinkle in... Read More
It comes as a surprise to many consumers that the... Read More
When it all comes down to losing or gaining weight,... Read More
For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More
A metabolism drug like ephedrine, has shown many people how... Read More
There's nothing more fun then being creative with food and... Read More
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More
We all know that losing weight and improving your overall... Read More
IntroductionThe history of The Atkins Diet goes back to the... Read More
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..You've done everything right this time. You're eating lots of... Read More
What do I mean by that?Well, carrots are good for... Read More
There's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The... Read More
Carnitine is simply the safest and healthiest supplement you can... Read More
Exercising too hardThis is probably the most common mistake. As... Read More
Many people (especially on the net) claim that you can... Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity... Read More
If you are trying to lose weight, the holidays literally... Read More
Every weight loss surgery patient I've met said they at... Read More
One Reality TV show, The Swan, thrives on makeovers. Often... Read More
Please feel free to comment, to provide good information and... Read More
Water is useful when we are trying for losing weight.... Read More
Looking to avoid the dieting mistakes many of our weight... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
Not losing weight but gaining it is why we are... Read More
I've worked with hundreds of people who were interested in... Read More
Eighteen or twenty years ago, I was into high protein,... Read More
As if you needed another reason to hit the snooze... Read More
Many Americans include health improvement in their New Year's Resolutions.... Read More
I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
Weight loss is one of the biggest industries in the... Read More
Are you one of the many who may be tempted... Read More
Cellulite happens to us for many reasons. Some reasons-- like... Read More
What is the relationship between intake of nutrition and metabolism... Read More
Weight Loss |