What are the food staples you buy at the grocery store?

Discoveri

Hey folks, I am about to do my first big shopping trip since starting MFP (I started taking this seriously in the last week of April). What do you recommend that I should pick up? I never really ate healthy before so I am kind of at a loss as to what would be best for me. Here are some things that may factor into your answer-
1) I am a housewife so I have time to make food (any recipes you could point me to would be much appreciated).
2) I don't own a blender but may pick one up at a later date.
3) My husband is not on a diet but wouldn't be opposed to eating healthier.
4) Onions and tomatoes are on my list of most hated foods.

Auntzip

I always pick up Almond Milk, Whole Grain Bread, Eggs, Greek Yogurt, Rice Pasta, Brown Rice, Frozen Fish Filets, etc. I also make regular trips to the Farmer's Market for Zuccini, Squash, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Corn, etc.

Discoveri

Thank you! I haven't tried Almond milk before. Sounds good.

chrissyrn04

Things I always have here -
-multiple different veggies and fruits
-grilled chicken (I grill a batch every week)
-hummus
-unsweetenned vanilla almond milk (use it in my protein shakes and as my creamer in coffee, and bake with it)
-eggs
-frozen peppers and onions
-frozen berries
-plain greek yogurt
-wasa light and crisp crackers
-old fashioned oats
-pb2 (powdered pb)
-cocoa powder

chrissyrn04

oh and I keep frozen salmon and tilapia filets in the freezer and fresh herbs growing in the window sill... every thing taste better with fresh herbs.

Colofit

Agree with th others....

Greek yoghurt (plain)
Eggs
Almonds (raw)
Oats
Organic meats and poultry
Dried and fresh fruit
LOADS of veg!!!
New potatoes

Discoveri

Thanks all! I think this may be the first time that I am actually looking forward to going to the grocery store.

Elizabeth_C34

Black beans. I usually do an entire crock pot full and eat off of them for the rest of the week. They are cheap, nutritious, and tasty. Can't beat 'em.

Whole grain dinner rolls. I pop one of these in the oven for dinner if I am low on my calories for the day. They are fiber-rich and tasty.

Protein bars. We keep this in the house for post-workout snacks and for supplementing daily protein intake.

LeenaRuns

This is what I buy primarily: http://www.superfoodsrx.com/superfoods/

BriskisGrl

celery, onion, carrots, and garlic can go a long way in just about anything and do a lot for flavor. Peppers of various kinds, whatever other fresh fruits and veggies are on sale. Don't be afraid to try new spices..

ilovedeadlifts

-beef
-chicken
-eggs
-oats
-whole milk
-wheat bread
-peas
-bananas
-green beans
-blueberries
-greek yogurt
-cottage cheese.

pretty much that stuff year round, give or take depending on if I'm cutting or gaining weight.

rachellosesitall85

Fish (salmon, talapia, ground turkey, turkey sausage (for spaghetti, lasagna, breakfast) and chicken, whole grain rice. Lots of veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, cucumbers, peppers are what we get.

tabik30

Big fan of the unsweetend almond milk (mix w/ blueberries and yogurt) for a b'fast shake. Lowfat cottage cheese (high in protein) I eat alot of low sodium tuna, and all natural chicken breast (frozen bag ones are LOADED with sodium). Also love the steam in the bag veggies. We have a very active lifestyle and teens so these are staples at our house. Good luck and im sure you'll find what works for you and yours in no time!

shaycat

I always keep in the house

Almond milk the 35 or 40 calorie one
Kashi go lean original cereal
cottage cheese 2%
Greek Yogurt
Those things are high in protein

Honey to add to my cottage cheese
Celery and baby carrots for when I need a snack and am out of calories.

misticache

Any and all veggies (I prefer fresh or frozen, canned has sodium)
Eggs
Yogurts
tortilla wraps in lieu of bread
Fruit
chicken
fish
more chicken

forgtmenot

Frozen Chicken Breasts
Fish (I usually get tilapia or salmon)
Whole wheat bread
Plain instant oatmeal
Quinoa
Greek yogurt
Almond Milk unsweetened
liquid egg whites
eggs
Tomatoes
garlic (fresh or canned)
Frozen veggies (spinach, broccoli, peas etc.)
Fruit (Usually granny smith apples, grapes, oranges, & bananas)
Frozen raspberries/blueberries (for smoothies)
Lemons (to cook with and I drink lemon water in the AM)
Feta cheese
Sharp Cheese
Canned tuna
PB
Coffee/Creamer/Stevia
Green Tea
Plus something salty and something sweet for cravings usually dark chocolate and Smart pop kettle corn single 100 cal packs

ETA: Lettuce for salads usually spring mix or spinach/arugula (I use a mix of lemon juice/EVOO/red vinegar for dressing)

runfatmanrun

Don't forget to try to look for healthy options to what you currently eat. There are healthier frozen pizza, not red baron, leaner hamburgers, healthier sweet potato french fries (make your own), and more delicious less healthy desserts, skinny cow ice cream is delicious. Trial and error.

Sharont213

I shop the outer aisles of the store.. that is where you will find the least processed and healthier foods. The 2 exceptions are the beans aisle and the freezer aisle with the frozen fruit. Think "Plant strong, whole foods".. try to avoide white - as in white rice, white bread, white pasta.. check your labels. Just because it says whole grain doesn't mean it is. if the first ingredient isn't "Whole", put it back down.. or if you can't pronounce the ingredient, you probably don't want to eat it.

Now, all that being said - like most people, I know that these are the rules but rules can't always be followed. So just try to read the labels, watch the fat and sodium content and start to incorporate as many healthier foods into your rotation as you can,.

terryjo623

These are my staples:
bananas
apples
yogurt
oatmeal
english muffins
fat free cheese
baby spinach
strawberries
and thinsations fudge dipped bars because I could not do this without chocolate

Emily_Katherine

Fruit for snacks and lunches: Grapes, Bananas, Apples, Clementines
The makings of a salad: I like spinach with berries, or mixed greens with peppers, carrots, radishes and celery
Veggies for dinners: Carrots, Zucchini, Green Beans, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Snow Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Onions (I love them!)
Veggies for snacks: Carrots, Sugar Peas, Celery, Peppers
Garlic
Eggs
Cheese
Fish: Frozen, Canned or Smoked, I try to serve fish at least twice a week
Almond Milk: Great on cereal or by the glass
Low-Fat Yogurt
Popcorn (We pop it at home)
Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges
Crackers

I don't buy bread every week, and I keep rice and pasta as pantry staples. Chicken and Pork I buy in bulk when it is on sale, and then freeze in the amounts I cook. Beef we buy from a local farm. I also make it my mission to try new things at least a couple of times per month, for example jicama and plantains. It keeps things interesting!

Some websites I like for cooking inspiration: EatingWell, DinnerALoveStory, Chow, BonAppetit

Favourite Recipes I have made recently:
http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/02/21/ahi-tuna-wraps/
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/black_bean_quesadillas.php
http://www.dinneralovestory.com/the-rule-of-three/

ninick

some of my stables:

- Quinoa: try mixing some Quinoa into Oatmeal, it gives more protein and fiber and an interesting crunch
- Egg Beater: I always mix one egg with 1/2 cup egg beater, for better taste yet healthier than using all whole eggs
- Plain Greek yogurt: 2% taste a lot better than nonfat ones.
- Cauliflower: cook till very soft and use as mock mash potato.
- Raw almond
- Kashi Go Lean original! (best cereal in the nutrition department)
- Fish (Salmon & Swai)
- Vita muffin (for treats, because these are kind of sweet)
- non starchy veggies (I've pretty much tried everything in the farmers market, you might discover something new that's exciting!)
- Unsweeten soy milk (I like Pearl brand, super creamy)

ZombieSlayer

Couscous
Quinoa
Beans (all kinds)
Clearance meat/fish
Ice cream
Tomatoes, spinach, bell peppers, potatoes, sweet potatoes (all on one line because it's only when they're not fresh from the garden)
Whole wheat bread
Peanut Butter (Adam's)
Nutella
Milk
Almond milk
Tuna

The above are on my list pretty much every week (or month for the longer shelf life stuff)

Recipes: Healthy Doesn't Mean Boring @ http://www.hdmb.net

DeniseBromley

A few things I usually keep on hand for when the sweet tooth kicks in, are fiber one brownies, skinny cow ice cream treats, and/or edys sugar-free real fruit popsicles.

mandamommy3

Fruit - Grapes, bananas, apples, pears, strawberries
Veggies - Asparagus, broccoli, peppers, carrots, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant
Whole grain bread/sandwich thins, eggs, reduced fat cheese, whole grain pasta, yogurt, chicken breast

AZKristi

Spinach, Tomatoes, Lean Meat, Eggs, Cheese, Whole Wheat Bread, Salad Dressing (Ken's Steakhouse Light), Dole Pineapple Orange Juice (to mix with protein powder for recovery shakes), Peppers, Onions, Garlic, whatever produce is in season and on sale.

sazzyp1973

goats milk, eggs, soya alpro plain yoghurt, bananas, apples, potatoes, salad inc tomatoes etc, other fruits that are in season, other veg that is in season, breakfast cereals, turkey or chicken and fish, spicy sausage, pasta and cous cous. I tend to mix it up as much as possible to avoid boredom.

dalmiechick45

chicken breast (not the ones with any rib meat or additives)
asparagus
EVOO
Grapeseed oil
eggs
oranges (any variety)
Grapes (work as natural diuretic)
green beans
portabellas
lean pork
Lauras lean beef
Ground turkey - only the 97-99% FF, the other stuff is just as bad as burger.

crissy1110

Hmmm, there are TONS of healthy food staples that will be easy to find at the local grocery store! For starters, hit the fresh fruit veggie aisle...HARD! Fruits in season now? Watermelon (seriously the BEST fruit EVER...tons of water, so it keeps you full longer), apples (loaded with fiber, again, keeps you full longer), strawberries, etc., etc. Consider purchasing grape tomatoes and baby carrots and hummus dip to snack on. Bagged salad is an easy meal that you can top with Starkist tuna flavored pouches (my favorite is the lemon pepper flavor!) and a low cal/low fat dressing. I would recommend measuring your dressing, since alot of times, the dressing can ruin your good intentions! Meats...go for low fat percentage if you want hamburger meat (93/7 is a good alternative to the full-fat hamburger meat). Ground turkey is also a great choice! It's super low in fat and calories, and when you make it as a base to spaghetti, you cant even tell it's not hamburger meat! A good choice for deli meats/cheeses...turkey (try to get the low-sodium kind!) and swiss cheese (lower in cals and fat than most). Stick with whole grain breads and cereal with low sugar count (Cheerios, Fiber One, Special K, etc.). Be wary of granola as this stuff is high in calories and sugar content! Dairy...low fat/skim milk is best. Soy milk is also a yummy alternative to dairy milk, and it has a nice, creamy consistency, too! String cheese is also a good, low-cal snack. Greek yogurt is high in protein and makes for a great meal or snack. I like to eat the Fage 0% with a tablespoon of honey, frozen fruit and slivered almonds. I often eat this for breakfast and it keeps me full all morning! Frozen foods...frozen fruit is a wonderful, versatile food that you can mix in yogurt or blend with milk to make a smoothie! Speaking of smoothies...get yourself a blender, girl! There are SO MANY awesome smoothie recipes out there! Snacks...If you're an ice cream gal (like me!), there are good alternatives to the full-fat, full-cal stuff! Skinny Cow and Weight Watchers are two good ice cream/dessert options. Alot of ice cream makes (Ben & Jerry's Hagen Daaz, etc.) have started making individual serving size ice creams so you're not tempted to go overboard, too! Other good snack options -- FiberOne bars, FiberOne brownies, nuts...all good choices!

Hungry-girl.com is a great website for fatty foods that have been "healthified". Eatbetteramerica.com is also a good website that does the same as Hungry Girl.

Good luck!

tryinghard71

Eggs
Fat Free Milk
Whey protein shake
Greek Yogurt
Cheese Sticks
Black Beans
Chicken
Taco Seasoning
Tuna
Lettuce - all kinds
Banana's
Oranges
Popcorn - air popped
Popcorn white cheddar seasoning - YUM!

Koshkaxo

-lean chicken or pork chops
-plain almond milk
-kellogs red berries cereal
-frozen berries
-plain or vanilla greek yogurt
-organic brown eggs
-tex mex shredded cheese (oops this isnt healthy lol)
-broccoli or cabbage slaw mix (just the mix not with any condiments)
-bananas
-pears, apples, plums, strawberries, black berries, etc
-pomegranate and concord grape juice
-a lot of garlic

In the winter, I pick up the vegetable varieties of campbells gardennay soups instead of my slaw salad mix

Ritzbrit

Thanks for the lists guys, I found it help too. I'm going to have to try Almond Milk, seems to be a favorite!