Posted on 2024-04-24

Eating fresh

It's the same story every year  temperatures drop, summer vacation becomes a fading memory and the local farmers market closes. Fortunately local grocery stores provide a wealth of fresh produce and some smart tricks and choices can help you eat like the farmers market is still open - all winter long. 

Keep these tips in mind when visiting the grocery store: 

Your diet should consist of mostly fruits and vegetables, so make the produce aisle the first stop when you shop. If you fill your cart with produce, you'll have less room for less healthy choices. 

Don't be afraid to try new things. As the seasons turn, unknown items may appear in the produce aisles. Many late varieties of squash begin appearing in September and stay through March. Old standbys, including turnips, rutabagas, carrots and other cool weather favorites are usually available in abundance. 

This is a good time to add root crops that you may not normally eat to your meal plans. An online search can help you find recipes for virtually any type of unfamiliar produce. Experimenting with new fruits and veggies can be exciting and nutritious! Many grocery stores now include signage in the produce aisle that tells where different items originated, how they might be used and nutrition information. Many stores even offer recipes. Plan meals and make a shopping list to help you avoid impulse purchases. 

Learning how to eat healthy is an important part of your children's education and a good way to teach them about nutrition is to take them to the grocery store. Try giving them a small budget so they can pick out new foods they would like to try. Encourage them to pick fruits instead of candy and vegetables instead of chips.

It's not just a myth that if you shop while hungry, you're more likely to make poor choices. When you're hungry, anything looks good and ready to eat is even more appealing according to Dietitian Paul Kriegler. Have a snack such as a piece of fruit before you go to the store.

Buy from the outer aisles where fresh foods are usually found. Include whole grains such as rice and oats and legumes like beans and lentils from the inner aisles. A diet made up of unprocessed foods is the best resource for staying healthy.


Courtesy of BPT and  LifeTimeFitness.com. 
Originally published in The Times Dispatch, September, 2015