Shop cleaner, not "leaner"!
Low carbs, reduced fat, sugar free....we're bombarded by diet foods on a daily basis. These processed foods may help give us a quick fix to weight loss, but we are slowly damaging our bodies internally with artificial ingredients. (See my previous posts!) My easy shopping tips will help you choose cleaner, less processed foods- your body will thank you in the long run!
The Healthy Food Detective's Shopping Tips:
1. Check your ingredients list FIRST! Only looking at fat and calories won't help you avoid food additives
2. Don't eat anything with more than 5 ingredients, or with ingredients you can't pronounce
3. Shop the perimeter of the store, where the fresh foods are located (fruits, veggies, meats, fish, eggs, dairy, etc.)
4. Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food!
5. Avoid all foods that have "artificial flavors" in the ingredients list- look for "natural flavors" or "all natural ingredients"
6. Avoid processed foods labeled "light," "reduced fat," or "fat free." To make up for lack of flavor from fat, food manufacturers often add salt, sugar and thickeners to make it taste better. Which means you are eating MORE food additives, which really isn't healthier, is it?
(Note: reduced fat dairy products are OK, ONLY if they don't include additives to get there!)
7. If you can't buy fresh fruits and veggies, stick with frozen (canned ones have added salts, sugars and preservatives). And don't even THINK about buying those frozen veggies with the pre-made sauces on them-are you really that lazy that you can't put your own butter on frozen veggies!?
8. Avoid anything "instant" or any boxed/frozen meals. If you do need a quick meal, look for ones with natural ingredients, like Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese
9. "Low sugar," or "less calories" often means the product has artificial sweeteners or additives. This is especially prevalent in low calorie drinks such as Trop 50 and Crystal Light. Trop 50 has 50% less calories than regular Tropicana Orange Juice. But it has added sweeteners and vitamins- I thought orange juice naturally had sugar and vitamins? Now we have alter it to make it "healthy"? Simple swap: cut juices with water or seltzer to make it less sweet, naturally!
10. MAKE IT YOURSELF! Think about it....can you make a healthier, less-processed version yourself? (Hummus, salad dressings, smoothies and sauces are some of the foods I make at home with all-natural ingredients.)
If you follow these tips you will be on your way to cleaner eating! Of course, we're not perfect. I occasionally buy over-processed foods and sometimes eat artificial flavors....but I'm trying to make healthier changes every day!
~The Healthy Food Detective : )
