Grocery shopping can sometimes be overwhelming when you are trying to diet. With so many choices, it may be difficult for you to decide what to put in your basket to bring home. But if you go into the grocery store prepared, you will come out with a shopping cart full of diet-friendly foods.
Produce Aisle
The produced aisle is full of healthy diet foods. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Including more fruits and vegetables in your diet can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Eating more high-fiber, low-calorie fruits and vegetables can also help you manage your weight. Healthy diet choices from the produce aisle of the grocery store includes apples, bananas, oranges, pears, melon, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, cauliflowers, squash, onions and potatoes.
Dairy Aisle
Some foods in the dairy aisle of the grocery store can be high in calories and saturated fat. Eating too many foods that are high in saturated fat can increase your blood cholesterol levels and risk of cardiovascular disease. Healthy diet foods in the dairy aisle include nonfat milk, 1 percent fat milk, low-fat cheese, eggs, nonfat yogurt, low-fat and nonfat cottage cheese, soft-tub margarine and tofu.
Meat, Poultry and Fish Counters
Meat, poultry and fish provide your body with protein. Protein in food is used to replace the proteins in your body. Choose leaner cuts of meat to limit your calorie and fat intake when dieting. Healthy meat choices include beef eye of round, lamb chops, pork tenderloin and extra-lean ground meat. White meat poultry has fewer calories than dark meat poultry and makes a better choice when watching your calories. Fish is also low in both fat and calories, and fatty fish like salmon and tuna provide the essential omega-3 fatty acid. Ninety-five percent fat free luncheon meats also make a good grocery store diet food choice.
Bakery Aisle
Whole-grain breads, bagels and tortillas make good grocery store diet food choices. But leave any baked goods like cakes, cookies and pies which contain a lot of calories and offer little nutritional value.
Canned and Dry Goods Aisle
Good diet food choices in the canned and the dry goods aisle of the grocery store include whole-wheat pasta, couscous, brown rice, barley, chickpeas, kidney beans, split peas, canned peas, canned corn, stewed tomatoes, marinara sauce, salsa, peanut butter and low-sodium soups. Whole grains and legumes act as a good source of fiber to help control hunger.
Frozen Food Aisle
Many frozen food items are high in fat, calories and sodium and it is important to pay close attention to your selections in this aisle. Good diet frozen food choices include plain frozen vegetables, sugar-free ice pops, low-fat ice cream, whole-grain waffles, veggie burgers and frozen fruit.
Snack Foods
Snacking helps to control hunger when dieting, but make good food choices in the snack aisle of the grocery store. Healthy snack food choices include pretzels, baked tortilla and potato chips, rice cakes and whole-grain crackers.
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