Healthy Shopping Tips

Most people these days are trying to watch what they eat, either because they're dieting or just want to eat healthier. The best time to start is before you get to the store. Here are some tips to remember:

1. Plan your meals before heading to the store. Make a shopping list to reduce impulse purchases and save money and time.
2. Avoid shopping if you are hungry. Unhealthy impulse buying is sure to result.
3. Consider using store brands; they're usually less expensive than name brands and the quality is generally comparable.
4. Choose a variety of fish, chicken, turkey and veal. And when selecting beef, pork or lamb, look for leaner cuts.
5. Read food labels to become familiar with the nutritional content. There may be similar fat free, low-fat or low-sodium products available.
6. Buy fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats whenever possible. Canned soups, frozen dinners and processed meats may be difficult to fit into a healthy diet.

The Recipe for Health is brought to you by Advocate Health Care. We're dedicated to listening and responding to the health care needs of families like yours, all over Chicagoland.