John Aaron Wellness

So you may already know that a healthy diet contains 30 percent fat or less, but how can you apply this guideline when grocery shopping? Well, the choices you make at the grocery store are an integral part of your lifestyle.    And, like I mentioned previously, reading labels is the most helpful tool for determining the fat con¬tent of foods you see on the store shelves. However, food labeling practices have been inconsistent, leaving many consumers confused and frustrated. The components of food labels are required to include the following: Serving sizes that realistically reflect the amount an average person actually eats. Previously, a manufacturer could reduce the portion size to make a food qualify as low-calorie.   The number of calories per gram of fat (including a breakdown specifically for saturated fat), carbohydrate and protein should be listed as well as the number of grams of fiber.   The "% Daily Value" shows the consumer how thi...

My daughter likes to grocery shop with me. Actually, I think she just like the opportunity to be wheeled around a store that has an unbelievable amount of food all within arms-reach of her. In fact, if I am not careful, she has been known to toss a few “extras” into the cart without my noticing it.   So, it’s a good thing I always compare what’s in my cart with what’s on my list. Not only can I be certain that I will have the supplies I need for my week, but I generally save money by not purchasing items I haven’t specifically planned for. It wasn’t until I noticed what was in the shopping carts of other fellow shoppers that made me feel good about this decision. The next time you go grocery shopping find someone shopping with a list and compare carts with someone who doesn’t have a list. You may be surprised to see foods that are higher in fats, salts, sugars and processed preservatives in the one without a list. Why? Well, it’s because the store knows these products...