Lauren Killion, RDN, LD, outpatient registered dietitian, Parkview Heart Institute, shares her tips for fueling your body properly, from the grocery store to the plate.
Watch the video: Nourishing Knowledge: Healthy from the cart
Heart-healthy eating starts before you even enter your kitchen. It starts right in your grocery cart. Healthy eating that stems from healthy grocery shopping helps to lower your risk of heart disease, reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and lipid profiles, manage blood sugars and support an overall healthy weight.
Here are some shopping tips:
Shop the perimeter first. This is where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and meats, and low-fat dairy products. After you have filled your cart with real whole foods from the perimeter, you can head to the center aisles for some staples, such as whole grains, nuts, oatmeal, beans and heart-healthy oils.
When selecting packaged foods, always take time to read the nutrition facts label. Becoming your own nutrition detective when choosing packaged foods is important. A simple way to remember this is to limit the three Ss. Look for items that are low in saturated fat, sodium and added sugar. In addition to that, choosing foods with more fiber will always support a healthy heart.
Three grams of fiber or more per serving is a great high-fiber food choice.
Remember, every healthy food you place in your cart is a step towards better health and prevention of chronic disease. Shop smart, and your heart will thank you.
For more like this, browse the Nutrition & Recipes section on our blog, the Parkview Dashboard.
