by Lola Valentine

Created on: April 17, 2008

Tips for choosing healthy food in the supermarket

Grocery shopping tends to be on the bottom of most people's lists of chores, however I tend to like going. I feel satisfaction when I leave the store knowing that I bought the best, most healthiest food possible for my money. I like going alone if I can. Having a screaming toddler limits my ability to take my time looking for healthier options. If you can't go alone, read the labels anyway. It will only take you a few times and you'll know what's good and what works for you and your family. Before you go, though, have a plan. You need to create a grocery list or you'll end up buying too much junk. Less is best. You're kids don't need that box of Twinkies.

When you go to the store, if you can get about four meats, fresh veggies (potatoes, onions, peppers), frozen veggies (green beans, broccoli, peas, asparagus, lettuce), GARLIC CLOVES, fresh and frozen fruit, cereal, rice, pasta, yogurt, and necessary canned goods (tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, chicken broth), frozen items (French fries, waffles, pizza), eggs and cheese, you can pretty much throw any meal together. Oh, yea, and don't go to the store hungry either.

Here are a few tips that I have found helpful to find healthy foods:

1. You may need to go to more than one store. I have found that I like produce at one place, and canned items are cheaper at another.

2. Organic, organic, organic among the known facts (no chemicals) these foods contain no added preservatives, no toxins, and are all-natural. Even the frozen foods I mentioned above are healthy and convenient in a pinch. With prices rising, it's not much more than conventional foods.

3. If you can refrain from these four additives, then you are on the right track - stay away from hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and coloring they do nothing good for your body; in fact, food coloring has been known to aggravate ADHD! I know staying away from these eliminates alot of snack foods, but you have to think "do I need them"? There are more snacks than you think without all of these. You just have to look harder. They usually have the organic seal.

4. Don't be fooled by the no trans fat' statement. Most companies are using other forms of oils, such as palm oil, in place of trans fat oil and it is just as bad. It has been known to cause diabetes, among other diseases.

5. Don't buy that imitation pancake syrup that doesn't have an ounce of maple syrup in it (plus, one of the first ingredients

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