Meat Counter

• Good – Lean Beef
• Better – Organic Beef
• Best – Grass-fed Beef

Egg Section

• Good – Packaged egg whites
• Better – Whole eggs
• Best – Omega-3-fortified eggs

Dairy Section

• Fat-free milk (skim)
• Skim Plus
• Organic fat-free milk

Butter Section

• Trans-free margarine
• Light trans-free margarine
• Margarine with added plant sterols

Yogurt Section

• Good – Low-fat flavored yogurt
• Better – Low-fat plain yogurt
• Best – Greek yogurt

Fish Counter

• Good – Tilapia
• Better – Halibut
• Best – Salmon

Produce Section

• Good – Romaine lettuce
• Better – Watercress
• Best – Spinach

Snack Aisle

• Good – Air-popped Popcorn
• Better – Peanuts
• Best – Almonds

• Good – Raisins
• Better – Dried Apricots
• Best – Dried Figs

Condiments Aisle

• Good – Low-fat creamy dressing
• Better – Full-fat oil-based dressing
• Best – Olive oil and flavored vinegar

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

The 10 Healthiest Grocery Store Food Choices

Studies on fat distribution in the body show that an ankle that has lost definition, having joined itself with calf, could be a signal of better health, for those who aren’t obese. Those carrying extra weight in their lower body are less likely to have weight-related health problems, like those who carry weight in their abdomen, which puts additional strain on the organs.

Wendy Kohrt, PhD, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado – Denver, says “leg fat may protect postmenopausal women by drawing triglycerides out of the bloodstream, where they constitute a risk factor, and into fat deposits in the legs.”

Source: Prevention Magazine March 2009

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Cankles, a Sign of Good Health

The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be 40,480 female and 450 male deaths caused by breast cancer in 2008 in the U.S. There are several things that you can do to avoid being a statistic, and instead a survivor- not the least of which is minding your diet.

There’s a fantastic article from the folks over at WebMD.com on what you should eat to fend off breast cancer. Here are their seven strategies, and a brief description. For more, check out Fight Breast Cancer at Every Meal:

1. Increase Your Produce Intake
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help protect against all forms of cancer.

2. Cut Down on Fat
Studies on dietary fat have been conflicting, but most experts say it’s still wise to steer clear of saturated fat.

3. Get Lots of Calcium and Vitamin D
A 10-year Harvard study found that pre-menopausal women who got 1,366 milligrams of calcium and 548 IU of vitamin D daily slashed their breast cancer risk by a third, and their odds of getting invasive breast cancer by up to 69 percent.

4. Sprinkle Flaxseed on Your Cereal
Flaxseed is a good source of lignans, compounds that may play a role in preventing estrogen dependent cancers by inhibiting the development of tumors or slowing their rate of growth.

5. Keep BBQ to a Minimum
This one is a real bummer. A recent study showed that post-menopausal women who had consumed a lot of barbecued and smoked red meat or chicken over their lifetimes had a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

6. Moderate Alcohol Intake
More than one daily drink increases your odds of developing breast cancer.

7. Fill up on Fiber
A diet that’s rich in fiber (30+ grams a day) can cut the risk of breast cancer among pre-menopausal women in half.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

7 Healthy Strategies for Fighting Breast Cancer