Why it takes me longer to shop?

By Jacob David

I take longer to shop. I go shopping for grocery, cereal and food (canned or packed). I take my time to study each nutrition label. I also go to the extent of comparing similar products.

The nutrition label helps you choose wisely. It means eating healthy and making sure you get those food products and brands that will get you the most nutrients for the money you are spending.

I am not a Nutritionist. But the nutrition label is easy to read. It is broken down into: Calories, Sugars, Sodium, Vitamins, Proteins, and Carbohydrates. You’ve to also note the serving size and the number of servings each container holds.

Given your age and gender, know how many calories you are supposed to eat per day. Check a table for the calorie intake levels.

Keeping this vital information in the back of your head, quickly study the following: sodium (salt) or sugar. Sodas have anywhere between 26 gm to 35 gms per serving.  26 gms is standard, 35 gms are on the high end and I avoid the sweeter sodas. Icecreams, chocolate shakes, and other sweet diary products are a craving that you can indulge in albeit in small portions. To reduce the salt or sugar in your body, drink plenty of water. Drink up to 8 glasses of water a day. It helps get toxins and waste out of your system.

Buying meats, poultry or fish, I watch protein intake.  I buy trimmed meats and filets. This saves me on prep time and cooking time. It also helps me cook my meats with less fat.

Buying packaged food (a rare buy) I watch carbohydrate levels and protein levels. I go for more protein levels. If the sodium level (for a pot pie) is 1080 mg I avoid it altogether.

Burritos and Taquitos also hold high levels of sodium. Pickles (seasoned) hold high levels of sodium. Soups in cans have high sodium content. Most soups can still be eaten if you dilute them. The can reads “Concentrate”. Dilute the sodium by adding water or milk.

Buying cereals I compare two things – vitamins and vitamins when added with milk. I go ahead and compare different cereal brands. Dietary Fiber intake is also important. I study potassium levels offered by different brands. I avoid excessive frosted cereal which is fine powdered sugar, coating cereal. It gives kids a sugar rush which is not healthy.

That is why kids love them, because of their sweet, sugary taste. Cereal companies have found the art of selling their products at the risk of making kids diabetic. Added to this are loads of carbs  from bad breakfast models touting donuts, pastries, and enriched flour products. Enriched flour – has all nutrients taken out of them. Pancakes and syrup are a load of carbohydrates.

Cereal, eggs, potato (hash browns), limited bacon, (optional), fresh orange juice, fresh fruit, decaffeinated coffee, biscuit, are alternatives to good breakfast eating.

So here’s to better and conscious shopping. Watch those nutrition labels. Here’s to your good health.