Navigating the Grocery Store can be both frustrating and confusing if you are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle and make positive changes. The Food Industry continues to master the art of food marketing and persuasion, which often allows unhealthy products to sneak into your grocery cart un-noticed. Shopping Cart With Fruit Vegetable Food In Supermarket

1. Read the Ingredient List First. Ingredients are listed in descending order based on content.  The nutrition facts may not reflect in calories, grams of fat or sugar what the true danger the ingredients could pose to your health.  Look for sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, refined flours, sodium nitrates, hydrogenated oils, mono-sodium glutamate, food dyes, and artificial flavourings in the ingredient list and avoid these products.

2. Watch the serving size. The Food Industry is famous for “tricking” its customers into buying low calorie and low fat foods based on unrealistic serving sizes.  For instance, the serving size for potato chips is 28 grams (or approximately 10 chips) with 150 calories. At first glance 150 calories doesn’t seem too high for a snack. But, when was the last time you ate only 10 potato chips in one sitting?  The point is, as consumers we can’t rely on the food industry to decide what a “real” serving size is, or we risk being misled on how many calories, or grams of sugar and fat we are actually consuming.

3. Fill your cart with foods that don’t have a nutrition label.  Have you ever noticed how there are no nutrition labels on fruits and vegetables? That’s because these are the freshest, purest, most natural foods that you can eat. A minimum of two thirds of your grocery bill should be dedicated to produce and other plant based foods.

Do your research, read labels, and only choose foods that will benefit you and your family!

Simply Health,

Cindy Richardson, Program Developer

As Program Developer, Cindy works closely with our clients to ensure that the health and wellness needs of your corporation are met and exceeded. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Meditation Instructor, Cindy’s knowledge and passion for healthy living ensure that our programs are proactive and cutting edge. Join us daily for amazing health tips and information to make 2015 your best year yet!

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