GROCERY SHOPPING IS LIKE DATING Top 5 Signs of What to Look for--And Avoid--in a Food and a Mate!  | Grocery shopping can be analogous to going on a date. In life, you're going to deeply connect with specific people and foods. On the other hand, there will also be foods and people you won't give a second glance to or you might discover after an initial attraction that provide zero chemistry to your body and soul. Foods, much like people, feed our inner and outer selves, by tickling our emotions, making our heart swell, and causing our brains to be engulfed by the high tide of love. However, before we get to the point of bliss, we venture into a territory full of unknowns. We must ask ourselves, do we really know where the food (or person) is coming from? Do we understand what they contain, the essence of who they are or even comprehend the magnitude of how they could positively or negatively impact our health? Yet, frequently, in a short whirlwind, we find ourselves having to make up to hundreds of decisions in the labyrinth of aisles lined with potential food suitors that will eventually change our lives. | | WHY GROCERY SHOPPING IS LIKE DATING Trying to make sense of the food supply as well as dating is no small feat; it’s more than most of us care to digest. And in the flurry of busy days, who has time to study the different brands, ingredients, and nutrition of the thousands of food and choices we can be confronted with on a daily basis? It’s near impossible. Here are some quick tips to give you a checklist of what to look for when you set your next date to venture into a relationship with foods or a person:
1. What you see is what you get – Check the extent to which a food reveals its true self. Gauge your selection by how much of the food you see compared with its dressings. If you see more plastic, Styrofoam, cardboard, and metal than food, there are probably too many layers to have to unravel to truly know what you are getting into, which is not unlike meeting a woman caked with too much make-up or a man whose identity rests on the laurels of his status and accumulation of possessions. Stick to “naked foods”, or foods without casings, as that is a sign that it probably hasn’t gone through extensive processing. For example, think fresh fruits, vegetables, and bulk foods like whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These foods are typically found along the perimeter of a store, so jog the outskirts with your cart and stay away from getting lost in the “guts” of the store where you’ll find more of the “dressed up” foods.
2. Speak the language of love – If you happen to be lured by one of those foods who disguise themselves in a box, can, or bag, help yourself translate what you’re getting into by scanning the Nutrition Facts label. After all, if you meet a person who makes you cringe when they speak, you probably won’t want to date them. Under the list of ingredients, you may see a novella or simple poem of items which may make you shudder or fall head over heels. Whatever the case, make sure that you can recognize most ingredients and ensure that they “speak to you”. For example, “Water, beans, and salt” makes a lot more sense than “potassium metabisulfite, monosodium glutamate, and sodium nitrate”; however, this is only a crude, quick way to filter the food contents. There are some cases where simple names like “salt” or “sugar” may not be desirable and instances where more sophisticated names may be valuable like “thiamin” (vitamin B1) and “ferrous sulfate” (iron). But all in all, check whether you two are speaking the same language!
3. Look for “true colors” – A person who lacks personality won’t be someone you’d want to be around. For foods as well as people, lots of colors are a good indicator of a spectrum of “dating” potential, as long as those colors are not of the pretentious, artificial variety such as FD&C Yellow No. 5 or FD&C Blue No. 2. Let your eyes be allured by the array of natural colors: passionate reds like tomatoes and red bell peppers, playful oranges such as carrots and squash, cheerful yellows like corn cobs and lemons, energizing greens found in broccoli and spinach, and mysterious blue-purples from the depths of blueberries and eggplant. Entice yourself with this entire spectrum by visiting the produce section. In the end, the more natural colors you eat, the more attractive, healthy, and vibrant you will be!
4. Watch for the “fake factor” – Many foods are created by large industries. They are loaded up with all types of ingredients that keep them preserved and attractive on store aisles, just in case no one swipes them up right away. Beware of the “fake factor” when it comes to foods and people – or those who have been around the block too many times. They can be laden with extra baggage like partially hydrogenated oils, fat substitutes, and dyes – a far cry from their true selves. If artificial colorings, flavorings, or sweeteners have made their insidious ways into a food, think twice before committing to it. “Artificial” anything suggests questionable effects in the body since these are not compounds found in nature. So avoid these cheaters at all costs! Go with foods you can trust.
5. The food “next door” – We may think that we have to travel to faraway lands to get the best of anything. We find ourselves on a continual search for the “perfect partner” when our soul mate may be as close as our backyard in our garden or in local farms. With the average food traveling 1500 miles to the plate, it’s difficult to know what has made its way into the food. Take the path of least resistance - go with foods that have local roots and that have been nurtured in the same environment that you live in. For the most part, food from your own neighborhood will be fresher, consistent with the seasons, and, as a result, more abundant in nutrients.
In the grocery stores of today, there are an overwhelming number of foods that you can take home just like the multitude of potential dating options! How do you know you are choosing the best one(s) for you? Be the smart, savvy shopper – know what you are getting into before you make your way up the (checkout) aisle. Don’t settle for foods or people that drain, strain, or pain you. Knowing your foods and lover better can help you to find a match made in heaven! More Food Articles Deanna Minich, PhD, CN, became a budding nutritionist at the tender age of nine when she was inspired and taught by her health-conscious mother about label reading and how to eat to be healthy. Since then, she has been teaching nutrition to consumers and health practitioners not only to help them make sense of the practical aspects of nourishment, but also putting it into a new perspective by illustrating how food and eating are conduits to life changes and personal growth. Dr. Minich has recently authored two books on nutrition, Chakra Foods for Optimum Health and An A to Z Guide to Food Additives. See her website for more information: www.foodandspirit.com |
