A Healthy Shopping List for a Healthy Plan

A good portion of your success in meeting your fitness goals will be realized in the one hour you spend at the grocery store with the right healthy shopping list.  It’s all about making good food choices and if you prepare or eat your meal at home, that hour is where you obtain all the tools you have to work with.

The following are healthy ideas and a list of 'fitness food' that you can take to the grocery store to buy the food you can add to your pantry or fridge that ensures you have the best food choices available for a healthy plan.

But before we get to the food, a few quick tips to ensure you stay on track:

 - Go with a list and be prepared
 - Shop the outer perimeter of the store – which is generally where the healthy food is found
 - Read the food label
 - Don’t shop when you’re hungry

In no particular order…

Proteins:

• Eggs and egg whites
• Chicken breast
• Shrimp
• Salmon
• Flank Steak
• Extra lean ground turkey/beef
• Pork tenderloin
• Halibut
• Top Sirloin
• Cod
• Almonds
• Cottage cheese
• Low or Non-Fat Milk
• Low sugar non-fat yogurt


Complex Carbs

• Brown Rice
• Oatmeal
• Whole wheat pasta
• Sweet Potatoes or Yams
• Whole wheat pasta and bread
• Beans
• Corn Tortillas
• Rice cakes
• Ezekiel bread


Fruits

• Banana
• Apple
• Oranges
• Berries
• Grapes
• Grapefruit


Fibrous Carbs

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Black Beans
• Mushrooms
• Peppers
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprouts
• Pickles
• Zucchini
• String Beans
• Squash


Fats

• Avocado
• Peanut Butter
• Olive Oil
• Nuts
• Flax seed
• Corn
• Omega-3 supplements


Other

• Balsamic Vinegar
• Salsa or Fresh Pico De Gallo
• Splenda
• Mustard
• Low sodium/fat beef or chicken broth
• Pam
• Mrs. Dash
• Assorted spices