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 antoinette@bestshape.info and see what you can do to take control today.

tidy up service Glenview ..
In The News:

Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.
Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Are Low Carb Diets Good for Everyone?

What's a Low Carb Diet Really Mean?When I hear low... Read More

Water and Weight Loss

Water is useful when we are trying for losing weight.... Read More

Obesity and Weight Loss ? Muscle and the Importance of Low Body Fat!

Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More

Fat Loss Exercise Strategies

How many calories you consume has a big impact on... Read More

Weight Loss Superfecta

If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More

Half of our Nation is Overweight!

Experts say obesity will overtake smoking as the biggest health... Read More

Anti-aging: Is It Really Possible?

Although it is obviously not possible to turn the clock... Read More

Obesity Prevention Must Begin at Home

Not losing weight but gaining it is why we are... Read More

The Secret To Permanent Weight Loss

AND SAVE MONEY IN THE PROCESS. The secret is simple... Read More

8 Ways to Rev up Your Metabolism

Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More

Trans Fat: Whats That!?

Learning the jargon is part of the weight loss journey.... Read More

Push a Button to Lose Weight

Trash Your TV! is pleased to announce the easiest weight... Read More

For Effective Weight Loss - Curb Hunger And Avoid The Binge

Curb Hunger and Avoid The Costly BingeEveryone's been there -... Read More

Plot Your Weight Loss Course

I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More

Weight Loss - Attitude Counts

Weight loss specialists will tell you that attitude has a... Read More

Hollywood Weight Loss Secrets ? Movie Star Personal Trainer Tells All!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Fat Is A Self-Inflicted Disease

I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More

The Importance of Vitamins when Dieting

In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More

High School Algebra Finally Pays Off: The Body Fat Equation

When approaching your goals for a better you, every game... Read More

Resistance Training First; Fat Burning Second for Weight Loss

Most men and women that I have trained over the... Read More

When Emotional Eating Becomes an Eating Disorder

More and more people are starting to recognize that they... Read More

Weight Loss Forums: Top 5 Reasons To Join An Online Weight Loss Support Group

You and I know that getting plenty of support from... Read More

Atkins Diet Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) Carbohydrate Ladder

The Atkins low-carb diet consists of four phases: Induction, Ongoing... Read More

Facts You Need To Know About A Low Carb Diet

What is low carb?We've all heard about the Atkins diet... Read More

Fourteen Reasons Why Dieting Is Bad For Your Health

1. The lower the calories eaten per day, the harder... Read More

full-service cleaning Mundelein ..