One of my over-used New Year’s resolutions is to “eat healthier”. This is a goal that I never seem to achieve. Somehow, I find myself digging into bags of potato chips loaded with Trans fats and added sodium. After a few lessons with my nutrition class, I have figured out how important it is to maintain a healthy diet. Quick nutrition lesson: our bodies need about 45-65% of calories from carbs, 10-35% of calories from protein sources, and 20-35% of calories from fats. It’s hard to know what to buy that will be good for your diet, but luckily there have been improvements in the world of technology to help! Here is some advice for the next time you need to grocery shop:
Use the app Fooducate!
This app is great for comparing nutrition facts between items. Download this app in your app store and use the barcode device to search for it in a huge database that will rate the item on an ABC scale. It will tell you a few bad/good aspects of the item and even suggest some healthy alternatives.
Eat more fruits and veggies!
This is a vital part of eating better. Consuming 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of veggies each day is recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Find fruits that are on sale in the front of your local grocery store. Or, for more convenience, buy fruit frozen and store it for longer periods of time.
Cook at home!
Eating out can be expensive and you may find yourself consuming way more calories than you think! The bacon avocado chicken sandwich at Chili’s has 1600 calories, and 3900 mg of sodium. To put this in perspective, the average adult should consume a total of less than 2300 mg of sodium during the course of one day. Purchasing chicken meat, an avocado, and bread may cost a buck or two more, but is a better alternative and you can feel good after eating it! Invite your friends to cook with you and split the cost of food and that way it’s a win-win situation. Need ideas? Check Pinterest! And read why this craze is taking over our lives here. http://www.hercampus.com/school/fsu/15-ways-pinterest-taking-over-our-lives
Explore the best food markets in Tallahassee
Choosing grocery stores like Publix and Winn-Dixie are so blasé in a world where places like Whole Foods and The Fresh Market have taken Tallahassee by storm. Located on Thomasville Road, Whole Foods is a new wave of healthy. They combine organic foods, some of your favorite foods, and special foods for consumers with sensitivities to certain foods. The Fresh Market is another great place to satisfy similar needs. Both of these markets constantly offer free samples and take-home meals, which are great added benefits!
Use coupons!
This tip sounds so old fashioned and reserved for some crazy lady on TLC, but using coupons actually ends up saving you a little money here and there. Check your supermarket for their weekly ads or check their online sites. Whether it’s 55 cents off almond milk or $1 off granola, saving money feels good for you and your wallet.