Empower Your Shopping Experience

Healthy living begins with healthy eating and healthy eating begins with healthy shopping...

Regardless of what nutritional program you are following - whether it is low fat, no-sugar, low carbohydrate, or based on some other method - there are always healthier choices that can be made when you are shopping.

Support your nutritional program week-by-week and day-by-day by ensuring that you stock up on the wholesome foods you need for your meals and snacks. Having the right food on hand helps you avoid eating the wrong things such as food, which are too high in fat, calories, sodium, and sugar. Additionally, shopping wisely helps you eat more of the good things like fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Use the suggestions below to avoid supermarket "traps" and help stay on track...

Plan The Shop & Shop The Plan

Put on your 'thinking cap' and make a list of the foods you need before you shop and stick closely to it. Plan your shopping around your favourite meals and recipes & don't be tempted by those wayward specials that may fall outside of the foods best for your program.

HALT! Don't Shop When You're Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired

Heed this word and make sure to eat before you shop to avoid impulse buying or stocking up on items you may regret later.

Begin With Colours

Fill up your shopping cart first in the produce section with lots of vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits. Select a variety of colours, flavours and textures to add interest and variety to your meals. Be adventurous and go for exotic fruits or vegetables that you may not usually choose.

Choose Individual Servings

When buying chicken, fish or meat, get single meal-size servings that you can freeze and use as needed. That way you'll always have good-quality fresh protein on hand and won't be tempted to eat more than your body wants. Likewise, buy fresh vegetables like mini carrots in small packages too. They'll stay fresh and make convenient "on-the-go" snacks.

Read Labels

Supermarket aisles are avenues to greater nutritional knowledge as the food label offers more complete, useful and accurate nutrition information than ever before. Become a fervent 'label reader' and scrutinize packaged foods, dressings and sauces before purchasing.

Avoid The "Aisle Of Weakness"

In all honesty, everyone has their "aisle of weakness"-be it the ice cream, cakes or sweet section. Do yourself a favour and avoid mouth watering temptation by steering completely clear of the entire area. And this "aisle" (or "aisles") is usually found in the centre! So, shop the perimeter of the store first, which is where you find the healthier foods.

Tantalize & Excite Your Taste Buds

Stimulate your palate and your recipes with the inspiration of fresh herbs like basil, ginger, lemongrass and cilantro. In addition, stock up on spices that can literally transform an ordinary meal into an exotic dish. Actively pursue variety. Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only promotes optimal nutrition but also provides us with the 'pleasure factor'.

Don't Feel Deprived

Even though there are certain foods you'll want to avoid on your nutritional program, the supermarket is packed with a great variety of health-friendly food items. By choosing a variety of the foods you enjoy, and watching your portions, you need never feel deprived -no matter what foods you choose. Make moderation your goal, you decide how much and how often. Healthy eating doesn't mean feeling deprived or guilty.

Final Check

Before you check out, ask yourself (honestly!) if there is any item in your shopping cart that you could remove to better support your program. Put yourself and your optimal nutritional program before all else.

When you shop healthily, it is a great contributor to the 'feel good factor'!! Additionally, consider clearing your cupboards and fridge of any foods that don't support your program. With only great-tasting nutritious foods around you can cook up a healthy storm and enjoy your meals & snacks to the fullest -and enjoy the pleasurable aspects of eating and... living!

About The Author

Copyright 2004: Antoinette Mc Donnell

antoinette@bestshape.info

Antoinette is a successful wellness mentor who has been assisting people achieve excellent health through cellular nutrition. For people wanting to lose weight she uses a scientifically proven approach that enables people to boost their energy and to block cravings while they are burning fat and thus losing weight. Visit her website at http://wellness-zing.com/?refid=bestshapearticles-26162 and see what you can do to take control today.

---

Pushing Gastric Bypass: When to Talk, When to Keep Quiet

Sharing our bariatric stories is as personal decision as electing... Read More

Weight Loss Tips, Tricks, And Tactics - Part 2

I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More

The Hated Cellulite Cure That Works

Cellulite is not a medical condition or an aesthetic mutiny... Read More

Oxygen Therapy For Weight Loss?

The chemistry sounds very straightforward. Human body fat is a... Read More

You Can Lose Weight on a High Carbohydrate Diet

A startling fact is that carbohydrates are not responsible for... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #3

Whew! So how did you do on that last lesson?... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #12

Are you just exploding with the presence of light all... Read More

Losing Weight: Healthier Wallet

Lose Weight - Get A Break The American Obesity... Read More

Dieting Obstacle When Life Gets in the Way

Dieting Dilemma No 1: When Life Gets in the WayThat... Read More

The Diet Debate Ended

Which diet is the best? ALL of them and NONE... Read More

Are Weight Loss Supplements Right For You?

The debate about whether supplements for weight loss are healthy... Read More

Healing Food Addiction

Hannah was distressed that, with all the inner work she... Read More

A Weight Loss Secret ? The Art of Detachment!

Have you ever worried about something so much it paralyzed... Read More

Dieting? Mental Activity is as Important as Physical

Activity means both mental and physical activity.Mental activity is similar... Read More

Compulsive Eating and Binge Eating Disaster Plan

Congratulations on waking up each morning and greeting the day... Read More

Sensible Approach To Weight Loss

Losing weight is a tough and demanding task for most... Read More

Can Weight Loss Improve Your Health And Make You Feel Better?

Many people today are interested in weight loss and weight... Read More

Malnutrition Causes Obesity

Axiom Number One - Nourish your body.Probably the most important... Read More

Why Low Carb Dieters Can Eat Chicken Skin And Meat Fat

While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More

The Lost Road of a Failed Gastric Bypass Surgery

In 1994, I had a RNY surgery. At 350 lbs... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery Alternative

I am considering Gastric bypass surgery because I am overweight,... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #5

Wow! You must be on fire by now burning and... Read More

Panic After WLS: Im Succeeding at Weight Loss: Now What?

The fear of success arises in patients when they realize... Read More

Loss Your Weight

WEIGHT LOSS:Nutrition and weight-loss researchers say that some supplements can... Read More

Motivation: Keeping the Fire Going in Your Fat Loss Plan

Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to... Read More

Theres Still Time for Your New Years Resolution and Lowering Body Mass Index

This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More

What Low Carb Dieters Should Know About Nitrates And Nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain... Read More

The Secret Key To Permanent Weight Loss!

With this key, I GUARANTEE YOU WILL LOSE ALL THE... Read More

School for Overweight Teens

Getting Kids Moving - Help for Overweight TeensA residential school... Read More

Four Steps to Hunger Control

Axiom Number Two: Hunger ControlTrying to lose weight without understanding... Read More

The Culprit of Obesity in Children - Inactivity

It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More

Small Changes to Weight Loss

As much as many of us who are over-weight do... Read More

Eating Sensibly, Working Out and Still Not Achieving Your Goals?

Are you working hard in the gym 3 times a... Read More