Supermarketing 101

  The grocery store can  be a tricky place to shop... especially if you are new to healthy living.  With soooo many options of virtually the same product, how do you know which to choose?  Wouldn't it be great to have a nutritionist go shopping with you to point out your best options?  Wouldn't it be even better to have a chef tell you how to create tastey dishes with those ingredients?  Well, I'm both, so although I won't be in your cart, over the next few weeks, I will be giving you some great pointers to help healthy up your life...  starting with some super quick and easy tips:

 

1- Make Your Weekly Menu Before You Go - This will help you think long term about what you will consume.  It will also help you create a conscise shopping list. 

2 - Always go shopping with a list! - Stick to it as much as possible.  This will keep unecessary items out of your cart. It will also help you stick within a budget and keep your marketing excursion quick and painless.

   
3- Go Alone (or with someone who has the same goals as you) - Don't take anyone who will get you to purchase items off your list.

4- Don't Shop When You Are Hungry - If you are hungry anything and everything looks tasty... so you'll put more in you the cart, spend more, bring more home, and have much  more temptation waiting for you in  your cupboards.  Dangerous!

5- Avoid - Chips, Soda, & Cookie Aisles...If it doesn'tgo home with you, you will have far less temptations lurking in your cabinets.

   Now lets go with an aisle by aisle breakdown... starting with the produce section.  (This area is so important that it gets a section... not just an aisle!)



Fruits and Veggies Oh My!

    Get at least 50% of your groceries from here.  Everything here is healthy!  A great general rule is that the least inexpensive produce is almost always seasonal, thus the tastiest.  

    Not only is the rainbow pretty to look at, but the more variety in the color you eat, the more nutrients you get... always a plus!

White and Light Green -

helps to prevent colon and stomach cancers and heart disease.

Found in: Artichokes, Asparagus, Celery, Chives, Endive, Garlic, Green Onions, Green Pears, and Mushrooms

Yellow and Orange -  helps to prevent cancers and heart disease.

Found in:  Apricots, Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Mangoes, Peaches, Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes, Clementines, Grape Fruit, Lemons, Nectarines, Papaya, Pineapple, Banana, Yellow Pepper

Purple and Blue and Deep Red - 

helps to prevent blood clots and helps improve brain functions.

Found in:  Blueberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Plums, Eggplants, Raisins, Red Apples, Red Beans, Red Beets, Red Cabbage, Red and Purple Grapes, Red Onions, Red Pears, Strawberries

Red -
helps to prevent cancers and heart disease.  Also helps improve brain function.               

Found in:  Pink Grapefruit, Tomatoes, Watermelon

Green -

helps to reduce cataracts andmacular degeneration. Helps maintain strong bones and critical for wound healing.  Also helps prevent cancer.

Found in:  

Asparagus, Beet Greens,Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Collard Greens, Dandelion Greens, Green Beans, Honeydew, Kale, Kiwi, Mustard Greens,Okra, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Romaine, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Zucchini, Endive, Turnip Greens, Arugala, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Watercress

Until next time, happy marketing!