The 2012 FMI Health & Wellness Conference emphasized the important role that food retailers could and should play as a community based health and wellness resource for consumers. Jeremy Nobel, MD, scientific advisor to Guiding Stars, moderated a well-attended breakout session on March 20 entitled “Your Shoppers: Changing The Way We Think About Public Health By Putting Food First.”
I realize that for most of you a trip to the supermarket involves racing around as fast as possible while hoping that you don’t crash into another cart and/or run out of things to bribe your children with. (Yes, I have those experiences too). As a dietitian working in a grocery store three days per week, I have the fortunate opportunity to spend A LOT of time spotting new foods on shelves and studying trends in our food industry.
As the air gets a little cooler and we start thinking about turning our clocks back, many of us become more dependent on our pantries and freezers to help us prepare our meals. We all know fresh vegetables are usually the best but what about when your vegetable of choice isn’t in season? Or when it becomes too expensive because it is out of season?
When human beings were truly hunters and gatherers during the Stone Age, nuts and berries were an important part of our diet. Think about how much easier we have it now since our hunting and gathering can take place at the local supermarket and farmers’ market. Take advantage of this ease and consider including these foods in your diet every day. Studies show that berries, nuts, colorful vegetables and fatty fish provide health benefits important to today’s lifestyle. Here are some ideas on how to enjoy these foods and why they are important to your health.
It was earlier this spring when I realized that eating all the vegetables that my extended family and I enjoy (or needs to be exposed to) was getting far more expensive than I was accustomed to. Terrible winter weather in Florida and Mexico and outrageous transportation costs from the west coast were all supporting an increase in cost. I found myself doing what I implore others not to do: complaining! What would I tell someone that was griping about produce prices like I was? The answer was obvious. Do something about it.
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