Fill Your Cart with These Healthy Go-To Groceries

As the cost of groceries get more expensive with rising energy costs and a tight economy forces manufacturers to reduce the sizes of packages, you may have to start doing a little belt-tightening to stay on budget this season. So how can you shop smarter and make the healthiest choices?


Keep these products in mind when narrowing down the possibilities.

Orange juice.  Packed with Vitamin C, orange juice is the perfect way to jump-start your morning and give yourself a quick pick-me-up anytime of the day. For added benefits, look for formulations with added calcium and Omega-3’s, the fatty acids that studies have shown can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Vanilla soy milk.  An excellent replacement for milk in cereals and coffee drinks, or a tasty treat on its own, vanilla soy milk tastes the most like real milk and has the added benefits of soy protein, antioxidants, and isoflavones, nutrients that may reduce the risk of cancer, help prevent the development of heart disease, improve bone health, and decrease the symptoms of menopause. If you are lactose-intolerant and can’t drink milk without experiencing side effects, soy milk is an ideal substitute.

Frozen vegetables. When fresh vegetables are out of season—or if you just don’t have the time to chop them up—frozen veggies are a life-saver. And contrary to popular belief, frozen vegetables don’t have fewer nutrients than the fresh-picked version. Keep a variety of frozen options on hand (broccoli, carrots, mixed veggies) so you can defrost them and cook them up on a moment’s notice.

Canned fruits. Peaches, plums, pineapples—whatever kind of fruit you enjoy, there’s a good chance you can find it in the canned foods aisle. All fruit is good for you, but to make the healthiest choice, pick the options that are stored in their own juices and avoid fruits that are packed in heavy syrup.

Whole wheat bread. Breads made from whole grains have more fiber and nutrients than refined white bread, which is made from refined grains that lose most of their beneficial ingredients during processing. If you don’t like the taste or texture of whole wheat, look for white whole-wheat bread—it has the same nutritional content as whole wheat, but has the appearance and flavor of white bread.