The Nutrition Group: Supermarket Tours

Though many don't think about it, grocery shopping is an integral part of eating healthy. If you buy and stock more nutritious food, you will eat healthier. It's so important, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has issued Obesity Guidelines for food shopping. According to their latest Obesity Guidelines, * everyone should use a grocery list when shopping and be sure to read product nutrition labels. The Guidelines recommend that shoppers:
1. Pay attention to serving size, servings per item, and the number calories per serving.
2. Compare similar products and buy the one with the fewest calories. 
3. Stock up on low-fat, low-calorie basics at home to encourage healthy eating habits. Some basic items to stock include:

• Fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese 

• Light or diet margarine

• Eggs or egg substitutes

• Sandwich breads, bagels, pita bread, English muffins

• Soft corn tortillas and low-fat tortillas

• Salsa

• Low-fat, low-sodium crackers

• Plain dry or cooked cereal

• Rice and pasta

• White skinless chicken or turkey meat 

• Fish and shellfish without batter

• Round, sirloin, chuck arm, loin, and extra lean ground beef
  P Jam, jelly or honey

• Herbs and spices

• Fresh, frozen, or canned fruit in light syrup or juice

* Source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/shop.htm
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in cooperation with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.

The above basic guidelines are very helpful. However, as we know, today's supermarkets give us so many choices, it's easy to become confused and frustrated. We don't have enough time to pore over each item on every label. That is the reason our Registered Dietitians conduct supermarket tours. During a group-or your very own--tour a dietitian will show you how to shop health-wisely. You will be surprised at what you can gain from such a tour! You will learn how to: