Strategy 4: Consider Food Shopping a Quest
The supermarket can be a tricky place, a confusing circus of food choices that
make it hard for you to decide between brands, look at prices, decipher labels,
and avoid temptations. But with a solid understanding of nutrition, you can get
past food-marketing lingo, find fix-it foods, and avoid trouble zones. The
healthiest foods in a supermarket, like produce and fresh seafood and meats, are
usually on the perimeter, while the less-healthy, more processed ones are in the
middle aisles. The best time to shop? After a meal, so your brain, not your belly,
makes the decisions.
A recent US study showed that hot chilli peppers may help reduce risk of
heart disease and stroke. Cut out the core and seeds, then add the peppers
to any dish that needs a kick—chilli, soups, homemade salsa, tacos, etc.
Another rule of thumb: When you shop, choose foods with the fewest
ingredients listed on the label. The smaller the number the better. It’s an easy
guide to remember as you start your journey, and before you dive into more