A surefire way to make sure you don’t fill up on junk food is not to buy any in the first place! But that’s often easier said than done when pizza deliveries and take-out orders can be arranged in seconds on your mobile phone.
Keeping your fridge and cupboards stocked with nutritious foods ensures that you have better alternatives readily available. Use this healthy grocery list to keep your purchases in check.
Protein
- beans (black, garbanzo, kidney, pinto)
- extra lean beef
- ground turkey or chicken
- salmon
- shrimp
- skinless chicken breasts
- tofu
- veggie burgers
Vegetables
- alfalfa sprouts
- beets
- broccoli
- brussels sprouts
- carrots
- cauliflower
- celery
- corn
- dark, leafy greens
- edamame
- eggplant
- green beans
- mushrooms
- onions
- peppers
- radishes
- snow peas
- squash
- tomatoes
- zucchini
Fruits
- apples
- bananas
- berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
- citrus (grapefruit, lemons, oranges, tangerines)
- grapes
- kiwi
- melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon)
- pears
- pineapple
- raisins
- stone fruit (apricots, cherries, peaches, plums)
Nuts & Seeds
- almonds
- cashews
- peanuts
- pecans
- pumpkin seeds
- sesame seeds
- sunflower seeds
- walnuts
Grains
- brown rice
- couscous
- oatmeal
- quinoa
- whole grain bread/pita/wraps
- whole grain pasta
- wild rice
Dairy & Eggs
- almond/coconut/rice/soy milk
- eggs
- low-fat sour cream
- low-fat cream cheese
- low-fat cottage cheese
- milk
- plain greek yogurt
Condiments
- balsamic vinaigrette
- coconut oil
- extra virgin olive oil
- honey
- mustard
- pure maple syrup
- reduced sodium broth (beef, chicken, vegetable)
- reduced sodium soy sauce
- tomato paste
- vinegars (apple cider, red wine, rice)
Seasonings
- herbs
- garlic
- ginger
- sea salt
- spices
- vanilla extract
While eating a balanced diet is certainly one way to help you stay fit, another is getting active. Fortunately for residents at Hilltop Club in Bowling Green, KY and The Landing in Greenville, NC, they have a 24-hour fitness center on site.