Shopping at a health food store takes just as much planning as shopping at a standard grocery store. When planning your menus for the week, there may be some items that are healthier and more economical to purchase from a health food store, and other items you need to purchase from a standard grocery store. Understanding how to incorporate shopping at a health food store into your weekly routine can help you make wise nutritional choices.
Types
Health food stores throughout the United States may be locally run, while other health food stores are part of a chain or franchise. A local health food store may be run as a cooperative program, where members receive a discount in exchange for working at the store several hours a month, although anyone can shop at the store. Larger, "big box" health food stores hire local employees, but the corporate office is often located in a distant state and city.
Bulk Grains and Beans
Bulk grains and beans are a smart purchase from your health food store. The grains and beans available in many health food store bulk bins include oats, white, basmati or brown rice, wheat berries, peas, cereals, beans and barley. Selecting your grains or beans from the bins allows you to buy the quantity and types of product you need. Eating grains and beans from the health food store may help you lower your risk of heart disease, assist you in maintaining your weight and aid in digestion.
Organic and Locally Grown Produce
If you are concerned about pesticides added to your fruits and vegetables, health food stores often carry a varied selection of organic produce. Organic produce may have slightly higher levels of nutrients than non-organic produce, according to HelpGuide.org. If purchasing local produce, ask the staff if the farmer uses organic farming methods such as using only natural fertilizers and avoiding chemicals. Choosing organic and locally grown produce helps your local farmer, enables you to eat fresh, non-imported produce and provides your body with needed vitamins and minerals.
Speciality Foods
Health food stores often stock speciality foods that may be difficult to find in a standard grocery store. If you are a vegan, eat gluten free or follow a mainly vegetarian diet, purchase speciality seasonings such as Tahini for hummus, vegan cheese, gluten-free breads or vegan pasta from the health food store. Additionally, health food stores often have a variety of herbal teas, dried herbs, nutritional supplements and vitamins. Some health food stores sell locally raised fresh poultry and beef, which enables you to avoid the hormones added by many commercial farmers.
Considerations
Just because you shop in a health food store does not mean every food item in the store is an appropriate part of a healthy diet. Even organic, vegetarian foods such as cookies, crackers or chips may contain excessive sodium or unhealthy saturated fats. Read the labels as you choose foods from the health food store to determine whether they are appropriate for your dietary needs.
References
- KidsHealth; Healthy Food Shopping; Mary L. Gavin; April 2008
- HelpGuide.org: Saving Money on Healthy Food
- U.S. Department of Agriculture; Grains; February 2011
- HelpGuide.org: Understanding Organic Food Labels, Benefits, and Claims
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service; Consumer and Producer Guide to Organic and Natural Meats
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