Doing my usual grocery shopping this morning, and walking the talk about working wellness into my daily routine, I realized that
grocery decisions are endlessly baffling for many people.
It’s not their fault – the current societal trend toward Nutritionism puts out confusing, often contradictory, information at an alarming pace. Foodies put out great information, but it’s often impractical for a weekly shopping trip to whatever store is nearest home. It’s often also impractical for anyone on a budget. After a while, none of it seems to make any sense to the average consumer. Toss in the brain-lapses common among busy moms and others, and it’s enough to keep General Mills in business for a long, long time. (Oh, yeah – I just called out Big Food.)
I also realized that I’ve put a lot of work into understanding food choices and the impact they make on our health. While I’m not a dietitian, I am ACE-certified to coach people in lifestyle and weight-management, and I absolutely devour (excuse the pun!) information about health and good nutrition. There’s still a lot to learn, but I’ve done my homework, let’s say.
Synthesizing all the information out there is no easy trick. I’m not saying I’ve got it all covered, but having read a few important sources like Diet For A New America by John Robbins and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, plus countless journals and research studies, I’ve boiled down my own decisions to a pretty simple plan.
My basic philosophy is just like Pollan says: “Eat food (REAL food, that is). Not too much. Mostly plants.”
To his manifesto, I would add:
Eat colors. It’s important for bodies to have a wide range of different foods in order to gather the nutrients they need.
There are no “evil” foods that occur in nature, without processing. The evil generally comes from what we do to those foods in a factory, not from the basic food alone.
ClickAClass.com is all about making good health EASY (so that it can be DONE!), so in that interest, here’s the first in a series of posts on my decision process as I’m perusing the aisles. I’m betting there’s at least one nugget in here that you’ve never heard in the typical “how to find good grocery food” articles.
Topic #1: Plant or Animal?
- If it’s animal, did it live with feet?
- If it didn’t, check that it’s wild instead of farmed, and consult the NRDC list to check for safe mercury levels. Avoid posers like albacore tuna (mercury) and tilapia (omega-6).
- If it had feet, buy organic. Local organic is even better. Local, organic, free-range, naturally-fed is the gold standard. (By “naturally-fed,” I mean that the animal ate on the farm the same things it would eat in nature. For instance, grass-fed beef vs. corn-fed.)
- If it’s a plant, is it fresh instead of processed? Is it high in nutrients, like cruciferious veggies and leafy greens? Is it in season? Is it organic? Is it local?
- If it doesn’t satisfy these requirements, what is your alternative? In other words, are the nutrients in this less-than-ideal food still better than eating a MORE-processed version – or not getting those nutrients at all?
So, how am I doing so far? Do you agree? Disagree? Think I’m full of it? Anything new to you?
Next week’s topic: Fresh or Processed? Tune in Wednesday for more!
I am very meticulous when it come to food in the grocery to ensure the good health of my family. When I buy something in the grocery I’ll have to make sure that it is good for my family.
Marnie Byod recently posted..realestateagentsmitchelton.com.au
Thank you for the amazing health tips, always. I always enjoy reading your post, makes me more aware in choosing the right food for me and the kids. Have you ever thought of becoming a health coach or maybe selling some products? You know I’m always on the lookout for untapped talent – you got the goods missy! xoxo
Sammi Johnson recently posted..Five Proven Methods for Captivating an Online Audience
Great tips Jessica! I made a decision about certain “types’ of food a while back, based more on ethics than nutrition. It’s interesting that in most cases, they go hand-in-hand. I tend to eat less, and appreciate it more, when the food comes from local farmers, fair-trade enterprises etc.
Sue Burness recently posted..What the #*#* is Pay-What-You-Can and Why would anybody DO it?
I am a bona fide food snob, a card carrying food snob if you will. I do not eat meat or fish anymore (10 years and counting) and I am obsessive about where my food comes from. So much so that me and some local friends have set up our own little food co-op that supplies our neighbourhood with fresh, good value, organic food to meet everyone’s budget.
Last night was pick up night and to see the smiles of everyone getting their gigantic food bags was once again very gratifying.
Mel recently posted..10 things that are still weird to me about England
…And actually, I’ve just teamed up with Cooking Matters Georgia, which helps educate people on sustainable, healthy cooking at home. Georgia locals, check them out: http://www.g-pan.org/of.html, @GACookinMatters on Twitter, https://www.facebook.com/COOKINGMATTERSGeorgia on Facebook.
Marita, THANKS! What a huge, delicious compliment! (And I looooooooooove Jamie Oliver — a true hero, if you ask me!)
Excellent point, Lisa — thanks! I didn’t mean to come off as inflexible at all, in fact, the opposite! I’m all about making healthy choices easier, more practical, and more flexible. Frozen is a FAR better choice than canned, and you’re so right about different growing seasons. Thanks for your comments!
it is tough to make right food choices especially when you have to watch your budget. I’ve never paid attention before how animals were fed, apart from corn-fed chicken that look freakishly yellow (that’s why never bought them) I tend to listen to myself, what my body is tuned into, at the moment it is vegetable and berries, however, when I am in a hurry I become deaf to my body needs and buy what is easier to cook.
Inga Deksne recently posted..Soup should be hot and other beliefs about life
I’m down with what you are preaching!
I love the summertime and the farm stand…better yet…farm share!!
I also think it’s better to eat produce from anywhere than processed foods. I have certain things I go organic with always…like lettuces and greens.
The thing I’m the strictest with is meat and eggs. I do my best to get organic – free range- local. If I can’t get that I tend to pass on it.
I feel lucky that I live in the city where there are lots of options. BUT I will say when I’m on a tight budget it’s hard to get the quality of food I want without spending a ton of money.
I look forward to the day when organic farming is the norm and the BIG FOOD companies are producing healthy REAL food rather than the crap they churn out now.
Leah Shapiro recently posted..There’s No Turning Back Now
Well you’re preaching to the choir over here, Jessica… Over the last 30 years I’ve changed my eating and buying habits based on my ever evolving awareness of food sources and all that those two words really mean.
Love your work.
You should team up with Mr Jamie Oliver!
Marita Rahlenbeck recently posted..In Memory Of Henry
I agree with all that you wrote. I tend to be more flexible though with vegetables. I live in Detroit, so our growing season is not long. So, I do my best to eat what is in season and do it fresh. Yet, frozen veggies in the winter are not a bad thing if you eat healthy otherwise
Great information and tips.
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