Last time we talked about how important it is to read the nutritional information and the list of ingredients on the packaging of the foods we buy every day.
I read them all, and over time I tell you that you are starting to have the group of your favorite purchases, the ones that best meet your needs.
What are your needs?
We can distinguish them in 2 categories:
those common to all, and those specific to some people with special needs or health problems.
The first will therefore be indications such as choosing products:
- low sugar
- low sodium
- low saturated fats
- free from trans fats
- low cholesterol
- few easy ingredients
The latter will look after the ingredients based on specific needs, which can be linked to a particular culture or health (for example, vegan, gluten-free, diabetic, kidney failure, etc.)
Again, as you see, I don’t want to talk about calories.
Fresh is better
Of course I repeat, “fresh is better”. So when you shop, you spend more time in the fruit, vegetable, meat, fish and spice departments. Seeds, nuts, oils are also important.
If you want to buy products such as biscuits and snacks, choose the least harmful (less sugar, smaller, no trans fat, low saturated, low sodium, etc.), as we mentioned in our previous article:
https://food4feeding.com/en/le-calorie-non-dicono-niente-ecco-perche/For example, I always read everything I can. The words such as “palm oil free” or “only vegetable oils” or “fat free” etc., can often only mislead.
If you always live in the same place, it may be easier to always choose the same product.
For example, I spend a lot of time choosing yogurt (many contain large quantities of sugar, and I discard them a priori). Having lived for many years in Africa, I have always made biscuits or baked goods at home and therefore I have spent time choosing less refined flours, free-range fresh eggs, and adding a little sugar. In short, I have taken some precautions. But I often had to advise my clients which products to choose, and therefore I discovered a new way of shopping. From a distance, online, not for me but for them who were asking me for help. I select, choose, fill the virtual cart, click and send. All based on the diet they are following. More selection, less waste, no useless products, shopping and nutrition under control. A way to manage the piggy bank too!
Shopping online
I have always preferred to do the shopping in person, but one day, by chance, a family I was following in terms of nutrition asked me for help. After so many questions, I thought it would be a good idea to give concrete help, choosing for them.
Never choice was more apt! Since then, other families, girls, ladies, etc. have also asked for support.
I was skeptical, believing that if you don’t see a product with your own eyes, then you get waste products. I had to change my mind. The supermarket chains I turned to have never let their customers down. And I’m talking about Carrefour, Sole365, Woolworths etc.
But these are services that all the big companies are giving a bit, and the great thing is that even a Nutritionist from America can do the shopping for her Italian patient. There are no borders.
And this is precisely the spirit of Food4Feeding: support at an international level, because we know and touch the different cultures closely.
The amazing thing is that when you shop online, each product has its own nutritional information, ingredients list, and you can select the best one. And then, what is fantastic, you have plenty of time to study what to buy: from the comfort of your home, without staying too long at the supermarket (in Covid time it is better to be quick) and perhaps with the diet that your nutritionist has made for you. If something is not on the meal plan, it means it doesn’t take it, and you don’t have to take it. Maybe, going to the supermarket and without thinking too much, it happens that something too much escapes us among the shopping, like this:
Good right? There is an exception to the rule, but every now and then.
Doc Maria Esaminato
