Eating healthy is something anyone can do, and making better choices starts at the grocery store. While processed, packaged foods may look and sound good with their colorful bags and boxes and catchy slogans, most of them are seriously unhealthy. So how do you avoid the bad stuff and make better, healthier choices?

Stick to Your List

If you make a store list of necessary items before you even leave for the store, you can avoid those last minute “I think I need this” purchases. There are many smartphone apps that can help you with this. Some grocery stores even have their own applications that will tell you where the items on your list are located within the store.

Eat Before You Go

Even if you’ve made your store list and everything, if you’re hungry when you get to the store you’re bound to end up with some surprises in your shopping cart. Avoid these (often unhealthy) surprises by eating a healthy snack or meal before you leave.

Greens Are Great

Leafy greens and other green vegetables are packed with all kinds of vitamins and nutrients, and they’re super easy to add to any meal.

Fresh or Frozen is Better than Canned

Avoiding the canned soups, veggies, and beans helps cut down on added sodium, and staying away from canned fruit can help you not eat too much sugar. Fresh is always best, but if fresh fruits and vegetables just aren’t available, or if they don’t look so good, you should opt for frozen over canned. Plus, sometimes the canned stuff ends up costing more than just buying it fresh!

If it Isn’t Grown or Raised, Don’t Buy It

Monosodium glutamate, high fructose corn syrup, and yellow no.5 do not grow on trees, yet at least one of these ingredients are found in almost all processed foods we find in local grocery stores. These additives have been linked to everything from obesity and diabetes to brain and liver damage.

Whole Grains

When grains are processed, important nutritional elements are removed. Processing removes vitamin E, B vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Try and go for more unprocessed, whole grains such as brown rice and oats.

Avoid Added Sugar

Added sugar is a bigger problem than ever before. Manufacturers add sugar to almost everything. All of this added sugar has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight gain, and more. Instead, opt for things that are naturally sweet, or just drink some water.

Summer Weight Loss with Pria Wellness Center

For a weight loss solution with real, long-lasting results, contact Pria Wellness Center. We will comprehensively assess your current physical condition and make recommendations based on your body’s unique needs. Dr. Fernandez is board certified in obesity medicine and weight management, so you can trust that you are being taken care of by a qualified specialist. And we take a holistic approach to weight loss, working with dietitians, psychologists, personal trainers, and physicians to ensure that all of your needs are met and you keep the weight off for good. What do you have to lose except extra weight? Schedule a consultation online by clicking here, or contact the office at (410) 565-6552.

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