Shopping List 101

I'll have to watch and see what people say - I'm curious about this, too, though I have no real suggestions of my own.

buying organic foods is always a better option.

yogurt is always a healthy choice, fresh fruits & vegetables that are in season for your area.
no pre-packaged foods...

plenty of fruits as always

I try to buy low-fat versions of anything if it's available, for starters. Then, anything canned, I get light or low-sodium versions. Sodium and fat are in so many things! It's hard finding foods without those things in them.


Buying fresh foods, something that doesn't come in a can or a box, is always going to be better. Well, except in the bakery. ;)

Karen, one diet book gave me pretty good advice. It suggested only staying on the outside edges of the store. This is where the raw and frozen foods usually are. The closer to its original state, the more healthy the food is for you...

Just one way to look at it.

broil and grill your meats--------healthier than frying them!

I take a walk up and down each isle, and only put food in , no boxed express foods & dinners. try different things,and stay out of the baking isle,LOL :)) my bad habit...

I can't say I'm the healthest shopper, I try to have decent things to snack on, everyone needs that quick grab,try to make it a healthy one you would enjoy...

We always have fresh fruit year round,

We have a few fresh veggies each trip..

If hungry for Ice creams try sorberts and yogurts, less calories and fat....

I think not only buying leaner meats and fresh veggies and fruit is important but the point is the preparation. I am an avid cook and baker. I can stretch my grocery money and cook healthier at the same time. I don't buy alot of already prepared meals. I cook from scratch. I know alot of people don't have time for that, but it can be accomplished if you put your mind to it.

I make sure that I buy a lot of veggies that I can cut up or just have around for healthy alternative snacks. If I don't buy unhealthy stuff, they can't eat it!

Like Heather, I don't buy prepackaged stuff and I really read the soup and canned veggie's labels.

To me eating heathhier is more about how things are cooked not what is cooked. Steam the rice and veggies. Broil food never fry it. etc.........
This from a person who has a passion for chips!
I have to balance, balance balance.

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Don't forget to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. Whole wheat pastas and brown ricke are also good options. Also lean meats and fish are good choices. Olive oil and spices will help jazz up your recipes.

Frozen veggies are good - we like vegetable soup along with a salad and some good whole wheat bread you have a meal!

You've got lots of great ideas already. One thing we are doing now is buying whole wheat pasta. It has a little bit of a different taste than normal pasta so we usually mix a little bit of normal pasta in, so everyone in our family will eat it and enjoy it.

I love soy milk. Veggies are also a great option. They also have yummy flavored mini- rice cake cracker type things.

Personally, I think beginning to cook from scratch is the way to be healthier and frugal. I have started a group just for homemade mixes. I have posted recipes to use with each homemade mix. There is no additives or preservatives in homemade mixes.

Many people think that cooking homemade takes longer than purchasing a mix. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The trick is to take one day and make all your homemade mixes.

Fresh Fruits are always in our home. We eat a lot of fresh fruit. However, I used to work in a produce department. I will bet you will be surprised to hear some of the things that is on that fruit you purchase.

We would get in cases of grapes that had a warning on it to wash our hands after packaging them.
Apples are coated with chemicals and waxes to keep them from rotting. That is just a couple of the risks you are up against when you purchase fresh fruit.

It is so much better to either raise your own fruit or find a local orchard and purchase from them. Good luck, it is a jungle out there - just trying to keep away from the chemicals that we are being bombarded with

This article motivates me to write my shopping list. I have a $50 Visa card from Boomertowne that I hope to put to good use!