Pantry Raid Tip of the Week

If you read many nutrition articles in magazines or newspapers, you have probably heard the advice to "shop along the perimeter" for the healthiest selections in the grocery store.  I respectfully disagree. The middle aisles, while containing many junk foods like cookies, processed meals-in-a-box, chips, etc., also have many healthful items that can be stored in your kitchen for long periods of time, for those nights that you don't have time to de-bone chicken, chop vegetables or peel fruit. Some examples:

• instant brown rice
• canned, low-sodium vegetables or frozen vegetables with no added sauces
• fruit canned in juice or frozen fruit with no added sugar
• canned tuna
• canned or dried beans
• whole grain or multi-grain pastas
• jars of tomato sauce, salsas, or pasta sauce
• corn tortillas or whole-wheat tortillas

Bonus: often the fruits and vegetables that are canned or frozen are more nutritious than fresh, since they are picked at the peak of ripeness and not picked green and shipped across the world to get to your kitchen. And..... these foods are often cheaper!