Eat Well in Aisle Two: Shopping Healthy at the Grocery Store

It's easier than ever to eat healthfully on the run, even at the supermarket.

By Dean Ornish M.D.

From Reader's Digest

Change Text Size

Change Text Size
|
Bookmark

Bookmark

Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
|
Print
|
E-Mail

Tips for eating well:

Think Fresh. The most nutritious items, like produce, tend to be at the edges of the store. Start there. Ideally, you should wash all fruits and vegetables, but if you're in a rush, get ones you can peel (bananas, oranges), or look for precut melon, pineapple, or other fruit.

Go Green. Many stores have extensive salad bars, but not every option is healthy. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Instead of your usual romaine and chicken, experiment with edamame, sliced beets, dark greens, radicchio, sliced grapefruit, or black beans. Put dressing on the side and dip the tines of your fork before each bite, to cut calories.

Hit the Deli. Ask for grilled vegetables or salmon on whole wheat bread or in a whole wheat wrap with mustard instead of mayonnaise.

Smart Sides. If the store has a juice bar, get your beverage there. And don't skip dessert! A one-inch square of high-quality dark chocolate provides great pleasure (and many health benefits) with relatively few calories.

From Reader's Digest - May 2008

Should Everyone Read This? Yes! I vote for this story

50 Funniest Jokes
Laugh more, live longer with the funniest jokes ever.
41 Secrets Your Doctor Would Never Share
Those free medication samples may not be the best - or safest. Find out what else doctors shared with Reader's Digest when we asked them to tell it like it is.
5 Vitamin Truths and Lies
Are you still relying on vitamins to keep you healthy? Learn the truth about which supplements help and which ones you can toss.
13 Things Your Bartender Won't Tell You
Bartenders share their secrets, tips and best etiquette advice.
13 Things Your Waiter Won't Tell You
Waiters share insider secrets about restaurants--from what days to avoid dining out to how much to tip.