by Debra Steele

Created on: July 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 16, 2009

Finding healthy foods among rows and rows of canned, bagged, boxed, jarred, bottled, freeze dried, and frozen foods, can be challenging. Trying to pick out foods that are not high in salt, fat, sugar, or just do not have any nutritional value may seem impossible because of the thousands of choices you have to pick through. Here are some tips that will help you find healthy foods among the jungle of choices.

Before you can start shopping, the first thing you should do is get organized by making a list, organizing recipes, and cutting out all coupons. A list is going to keep you focused so that you do not wonder around picking out unnecessary items. A grocery list will also save you time, and clipping coupons will save you money. Your list should consist of everything you will need for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and all ingredients needed for any recipes. Now that you have spent a day getting organized, now it is time to shop.

Fresh Fruit: apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, pears, melons, grapes, cherries, pineapples, plums, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mangos, nectarines, tangerines

Fresh Vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, celery, carrots, lettuces (the darker the leaves the better), white potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, squash, yucca, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus,green beans, snap peas, yams, spinach

Fresh lean meats, poultry, and fish. No dyes, enhancements, flavorings, preservatives, antibiotics, or coloring, which they frequently put into fresh fish.

Fresh or dried beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds can be used as a protein source, especially for those that do not consume meat, and dairy.

Breads, crackers, and cereals: 100% whole grain or multigrain

Dairy: low fat

Beverages: milk. fresh juices, tea, water

Another thing that you should do to make healthy food choices, read the nutrition facts label on all of your packaged foods. The things you should pay attention to is the serving size, your total grams of fat, cholesterol, sodium, and carbohydrates. The lower these numbers are, the better.

Stay away from packaged foods, and already prepared meals that are load with fats, sodium, carbohydrates and no vitamins or nutritional value. Stay away from sugary snacks, desserts, and cereals. Stay away from carbonated drinks, and juices that have more sugar than fruit, Stay away from chips, cookies, and candy. Frozen vegetables are healthier than canned, and home made meals are healthier than premade, prepackaged meals. When you are trying to decide what is a healthy food choice, think fresh, fresh, fresh.

Learn more about this author, Debra Steele.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.