As a new mom, eating healthy should be a priority! I have teamed up with Chicken of the Sea to discuss INFUSIONS, wild caught tuna. As always, all opinions are my own.
When I was working on my Master Degree in K-12 Physical Education, I read a book about the evolution of the Standard American Diet that was extremely life changing. It discussed how Americans lives have changed from farm to table to package to table and how many of the foods we consume today are not as nutritionally dense as they once were. Today, many households require both parents to work outside the home and with activities, schoolwork and other commitments consuming our lives, that leaves little time for home-cooked meals that take tons of time. With that said, I do feel like the dialogue is changing. My friends and I are constantly swapping tips and tricks for staying healthy while on-the-go. There are tons of farmers markets and juice bars popping up on every corner. Also, grocery stores are getting savvy and adding many to healthy packaged items to their shelves. These items are minimally processed and use clean, simple and delicious ingredients.
When I was a kid, I remember adding white sugar to my tea and boxed grits and sneaking gummy snacks on the regular, but I also remember eating tomato-basil salads, chickpeas or “growing beans” as my mom would call them and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. We had an abundance of real food, but like any other child of the ’80s, I loved my boxed Mac and Cheese. Can you blame me? As a dancer, I have always been a mover. So when I started my journey into health and wellness, I began to dive deeper into the foods I was eating, many of which were packaged, labeled with a million different ingredients and unfortunately by labeling them “healthy” or “gluten-free”, I was unaware that they were jam-packed with more sodium or artificial sweetener than anyone needed in their lifetime. Essentially, my taste buds were numb, but in about as little as two weeks of clean eating, fruits became sweeter, vegetables became more satisfying and I began to use food as fuel. For the first time, I made the realization that food can be both healthy and delicious!
When I started to learn more about how to source my food, I felt empowered to eat healthily instead of deprived. Now, when I shop the grocery store, I see it as a way to fuel my health and wellness, instead of strictly for pleasure. As a mom, we get no days off, so I have to make sure to consume foods that increase my energy, boost my immunity and keep me satisfied with real, simple ingredients. So today, I want to share a few tips on how to shop the grocery store and make the switch from convenience foods to healthy convenient foods.
When I shop the grocery store I make sure to:
- Never Shop Hungry: If I go to the store hungry I have the tendency to fill my cart with unnecessary items like sea-salted brownie bites or a pack of bagels. If I go to the store full, I stick to the plan and fill my cart with only the essentials.
- Shop the perimeter first: Pick out your fresh produce, protein and dairy before picking up your pantry items like grains, beans and canned goods. If you fill up your cart with fresh produce, lean protein and fresh full-fat dairy you can shop the aisles armed by your healthy choices.
- Read Your Labels: These days, there are tons of packaged items that are healthy and good for you, but you have to take time to read your labels! Choose items with a small ingredient list and make sure you can read everything that is in them. If you are buying Tuna, make sure the first ingredient on this list is actually TUNA.
- Know the difference between convenience foods and healthy convenient foods: Fake food or “convenience foods” are simply foods that are packaged, highly processed versions of real food, whereas convenient healthy foods are real, whole, nutrient dense foods that simply come in a package.
For example, I love the new Infusions Ready-To-Eat Wild Caught Tuna line from Chicken of the Sea. Unlike convenience foods of yesteryear, COS has kept your health in mind! If you are like my husband, or me, then you need healthy snacks that keep your energy up!
The INFUSIONS line comes in four flavors: Sundried Tomato, Lemon & Thyme, Thai Chili and Basil. Each flavor uses simple ingredients. All of which I can read! Simple ingredients that I would use at home, but thankfully are contained in tiny, on-the-go containers that are recyclable and even come with a fork! This means I can grab one on the go or enjoy a pack anytime, anywhere!
With over 20 grams of protein in a single-serve pack, Infusions are Non-GMO, preservative-free and use high-quality wild caught tuna. Infusions are a fantastic example of Healthy. Convenient. Food. Period.
Taste the rainbow: Food should be an adventure! Expand your horizons and choose a different fruit or vegetable every time you go.
Shop Frozen: There are tons of great organic frozen fruit and vegetable options that are a fraction of the cost and already prepared for you. I love shopping frozen fruit for smoothies and frozen vegetables for a grain bowl or to steam and mash for CJ! Remember, these days we are all about convenience.
Buy Organic When Possible: Aim to buy organic produce as much as possible to avoid unnecessary pesticides in your diet. If you can’t, then do not sweat it! My rule of thumb is that if I am eating the skin, it should be organic. If there aren’t organic options available, make sure to buy items listed in the “dirty dozen” organic and always wash your produce thoroughly before consumption.
Well, there you have it. My tips to help you navigate your next grocery shopping trip! If you are low on time, understand that healthy can also be convenient. It simply takes a little knowledge and work, but if you empower yourself and read your labels, you have tons of options for a convenient yet healthy diet!