Processed and frozen foods are easy to prepare for any meal.
They are already made and packaged and ready to heat and eat. But most of them
contain more sodium than what is considered a healthy amount. Health Briefs TV
offers suggestions about how to avoid the processed food at the store.
The easiest way to avoid processed food, or prepared food,
in the grocery store is to shop along the sides. Start in the fresh produce
section and stock up on all the healthy fruits and vegetables the family likes.
Potatoes of all kinds are good meal fillers and sides since they pack a lot of
fiber and vitamins. Most take a few minutes in the microwave to cook and can be
spruced up with fresh salsa (also found in the produce section) low-fat cheese,
sour cream or Greek yogurt.
The Health Briefs TV show also suggests grabbing some frozen
fruits and veggies since they are often packed when they are ripe. Walk along
the back wall of the store where fresh chicken, meat and fish are sold. Grab a
few small fillets of the freshest fish, and some organic chicken for a few
healthy and nutritious meals without the added salt and chemicals.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports
that Americans consume an average of 3,500 milligrams of sodium per day. This
does not include the salt from the shaker on the table). We can avoid the extra
sodium with planned, smart shopping. Make a list before heading out and stick
to it. Spend at least half of the food budget on fresh produce, fish and lean
chicken and meat. Make meals at home and invite children to help. Avoiding
processed food may seem challenging at first. But with some pre-planning, everyone’s
health will benefit from consuming less salt.
