Make The Turn Weekly Challenge #36: Supermarket Success

Making healthy food choices at home starts with the choices you make at the supermarket. With more than 7,000 food items available, grocery shopping can be quite the challenge. Although it may seem more appealing to dine out, eating at home for one additional meal every week saves up to $364 per person per year! In addition to the high price, most restaurant fare doesn't compare to the nutritional benefits of making fresh foods from home. By learning these shopping tips, you'll find it much easier to eat healthy and save money.

Goal: choose natural, whole foods over man-made, processed products.

1. Make a List

Creating a grocery list makes it easier to eat well and keep you within budget.

2. Eat Before You Go

Hungry shoppers usually buy more food and make poorer choices.

3. Include Helpers

Being included can get your family more excited to eat healthier.

4. Read Labels

Focus on the ingredients listed. Less is best!

5. Shop The Perimeter

Be sure to fill your cart with more nutrient-packed whole foods.

6. Check For Freshness

Read the expiration dates and reach for foods in the back of the pile/shelf.

7. Buy In Bulk

Stock up on healthy frozen fruits and veggies.

NAVIGATING SECTIONS

Use these tips when buying from different sections within the grocery store:

__

Produce:__ local, organic

Nuts & seeds: organic, unsalted

Meats: local, organic, hormone/antibiotic-free, pastured

Poultry & eggs: local, organic, hormone/antibiotic-free, free-range

Fish & seafood: wild, low in mercury

__Dairy:__organic, hormone/antibiotic-free, full-fat, plain, grass-fed

__Grains:__gluten-free, minimally processed

Grain products: "sprouted" or sourdough

organic vs=non-organic

Not all so-called healthy items are created equal. Your guide to what items are better organic and which you can save a few buck on are listed below:

Dirty dozen: apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines, grapes, sweet bell pepper, potato, blueberries, lettuce, kale and collards.

Clean 15: onions, sweet corn, pineapple, avocado, asparagus, sweet peas, mangoes, eggplant, cantaloupe, kiwi, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and mushrooms.

Good health starts with nutrition. Try incorporating some of these ideas into your next grocery shopping trip and you can count this week's challenge as complete!

BENEFITS

Save Money

Enjoy Healthier Food

Feel Better

Jeff Ritter is the CEO/Founder of__ MTT Performance__. The program operates out of Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif. Follow him on Twitter at @mttgolf*