A Global Virtual Classroom Project : GVC1210

Shopping Healthy

By Peter H. of PJMS

Shopping healthy is easy to do, but most people feel overwhelmed the minute they step into the shopping market. “Markets perform a great public service, but keep in mind they are designed to get you to buy more food, not less," says Marion Nestle, PhD, and MPH, professor of nutrition at New York University. (qtd by Zelman). The minute we step into a market we are immediately hungry and want to buy everything we see.

So how can we shop healthy and not be overwhelmed by what we see in the grocery stories? For starters do your research. Kathleen Zelman points out the importance of just this. She encourages us, that when planning your grocery list, consult the guidelines of MyPyramid the government nutrition web site my pyramid. Check to make sure you are including all the foods you need for good health and caution not to over shop.

RD Elizabeth Ward also has another great solution! She encourages us to rely on single-serve packages of pre-cut apples and carrot sticks for food to go for her three young daughters. “Anything that will get you and your family to eat more fruits and vegetables is worth the extra expense, especially when you consider there is no waste associated with washed and prepped produce," says Ward (qtd by Zelman).

Shop the places where fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish are most likely located. Avoid the cookie, chips, and other snack isles. Go into the grocery store with a detailed list of what you need and only purchase items on that list. Be sure to check the calorie and fat content on the food you are purchasing. If you are unsure of where to start you doctor will often be willing to send you to a nutritionist.

Works Cited

Pester, Colette, and Lora Wilder. "Build a Healthy Diet with Smart Shopping." Nutrition.gov. Nutrition.gov, 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nutrition.gov/shopping-cooking-meal-planning/food-shopping-and-meal-planning/build-healthy-diet-smart-shopping>.

Zellman, Kathleen M. "10 Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping." WebMD. WebMD, 2013. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/10-tips-for-healthy-grocery-shopping>.

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