Calgary Naturopathic Health Care Clinic featuring a Holistic approach to Total Health Care
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Shopping Tips

Having a hard time making healthy choices? Let us help, download our list of must eat

healthy foods!

1. Never go shopping hungry! This is an absolute requirement for eating healthy.  If you are hungry, you may have low blood sugar, which will impair your ability to think properly and make wise food choices.  Even if you have to go out to eat, do it! Have a full stomach when shopping and you will be better able to withstand the 'temptations'.

2.  Buy foods that you in theory could pick, grow, harvest, kill, milk.  In other words REAL FOOD.  The supermarket industry spends millions studying the habits of shoppers and knows exactly how to package foods and where to put them in the store to draw consumers in.  Keep to the periphery of the store.  This is where the produce and meat sections are, and where you should buy >90% of your groceries.

3. If you do buy any packaged or prepared foods, READ THE LABELS!  Strictly avoid Trans  Fats.  These are toxins that are very damaging to your cells.  If the food is a carbohydrate, look for high amounts of fiber and low sugar content. Avoid artifitial sweetners.

4. Plan your meals for the week, and take a shopping list with you.  Stick to the list. For some great recipe ideas click HERE.

5. Eat locally and in season when possible. We live in an incredible country.  One that is able to produce a wide variety of meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.  Eating locally and in season is not only good for your health, but also the environment, and the local economy.  While it may be true that you can buy something imported for 'cheaper'.  Consider the environmental costs of transporting that food to you, and the nutrients lost in the process. Try shopping at your local farmers market, or better yet, try growing of your own vegetables.

6. Organic or not?  This is an important question that is frequently asked, however the answer is not a simple one.  Generally, pesticides, hormones, and additives are stored in fat/oils.  So when buying products that contain fat or oils look for organic, free range, or pesticide/hormone free products.  Some fruits and vegetables are more heavily sprayed than others. Again support your local farmers!