Let's get Groceries: Produce

Over the next couple of posts I am going to "hold your hand" and help you do your grocery shopping. First I'll let you know about the section of the grocery store. Then, I will provide you with the list of items one should stock up on in the fridge or pantry.

Produce should be the heart of every meal. I know a lot of people like to build around their entree or meat, but history and science has shown us that at least 50% of our meal should come from the land, or in the form or fruits and vegetables. Why is this? These guys are packed with the most nutrients you can find. When eaten in raw form (not cooked, frozen, canned, etc.) fruits and vegetables provide the greatest source of natural micro-nutrients, or the little guys known as vitamins and minerals. When in its purest form, e.g. organic, the food is in the most accurate form our body is ready for. This means that the vitamins and minerals are more easily usable and absorbed. So take that information to heart. More veggies, more fruit, more raw.

A thing I love to tell athletes is that fruit is like a natural energy source, a Gatorade in every bite. It's got the similar electrolytes found in sports drinks and the sugars and carbohydrates necessary to fuel activity. For this reason, I think it is great to bring portable fruits to practice such as grapes, raisins, baby carrots, apples, bananas, etc. Eat a handful of whatever during the water break.

OK, so when you hit that beautiful produce section of the mart I want you to think of a couple of things. First, colors. Look how many there are! Your cart should match that look. Yellows, reds, greens, dark greens, whites, oranges, purples, blues, you get the idea. Next, smell. This is usually the best way to tell ripeness. The more it smells good like you want to eat it, the more ripe it usually is. Mind you, it's OK to buy unripe food. You just might have to wait a bit. It's a good technique to practice so you don't waste. E.g. buy 4 ripe bananas and 3 unripe bananas and you've got enough bananas for the week! Third, get used to the season. When you see fruits or veggies ridiculously marked down, that's because this is the time of year to enjoy! Take advantage of these times.

Here's what I like to have in mia casa:

o   Whole or pre-cut fresh vegetables

o   Pre made salad mix, with dark lettuces (romaine, spinach)

o   Baby carrots, peppers, green beans, edamame

o   Grapes, oranges, grapefruit, apples, and strawberries

o   Bananas, pineapple,  mango, kiwi

o   Potatoes, onions, garlic

o   Mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, cucumber, broccoli

Next post we get to discuss meat! Don't forget, I love getting comments and questions below!