A26
Abbotsford News Thursday, July 19, 2012
my
ABBOTSFORD
inside >>
Empowered by horses Mark Barry and Gord Gauthier of Save-On-Foods, Abbotsford locations.
Healthy eating healthy shopping E
ating healthy is a mantra for many people, and it’s a trend that is attracting more followers. However, shopping for healthy foods can be a challenge for some, both in terms of what to buy and what to pay. With a price range between health and affordability, the aisles can pose dilemmas between what’s good for the body, and good for the bank. We all know the basic tricks, such as avoiding impulse buying by making a list beforehand, and never shopping on an empty stomach. With some labels and marketing this can be confusing, so it’s time to write your list with a new set of rules. Simply knowing how to manoeuvre the grocery store from the entrance to the check-out will help ensure your fridge is full of healthy food. Save-On-Foods manager Mark Berry agrees that “times are changing,” and that it is important to provide customers with clear options when it comes to their shopping experience and the products they purchase.
The South Fraser Way PriceSmart and both Sumas Way and Whatcom Road Save-On locations offer nutrition tours for kids and adults. The tours are led by registered dietitians and provide the opportunity to learn about nutrition, healthy eating habits and how to load your cart with better food choices. “We wanted to find a way to support the changing needs of our customers,” explained Berry. “We have an aging population who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.” Thrifty Foods also helps educate shoppers about healthy eating. Customers can sign up at the website www.thriftyfoods.com for evening tours of the store with a dietician. She offers advice about how to read nutrition labels, healthy foods and smart shopping habits for people seeking better nutrition. Local dietitians also use the store for their own educational tours, and Thrifty supports them by offering gift cards to help support their healthy shopping. Registered dietitian, nutrition consultant and
nutrition tour leader, Kristin Brown, knows all about the struggles of leading a healthy lifestyle, and says it is “unfortunate that we live in a toxic food environment where we are surrounded by foods that are quick, easy, and tasty, but not always nutritious.” She advises consumers to be wary of the words “natural” and “organic,” as those can also be misleading, and instead look for the shortest list of ingredients on product labels. Brown also encourages “making things from scratch as often and possible,” and avoiding the candy aisle altogether. “Eating healthy takes some effort and planning,” says Brown. “You need to be aware of what you are eating, and try to look for whole, natural and least processed foods.” When Brown is leading a group on a nutrition tour, she stresses “sticking to the perimeter,” where the Continued on Page 27
>> facebook.com/myabbynews
Shiva
F IN ALIST
V
IT
E
AN
FA
UR
T
Restaurant & Sweets O
AU
I NDIAN R EST
R
22 years of serving g fine Indian cuisine
Shiva Restaurant & Sweets shivasweets.com
| 32131 Marshall Road, Abbotsford (Opposite Best Western Regency) | 604.850.2399
Introducing our new & delicious
BUFFET $10.99
+ HST
Monday - Friday 11:30 am - 2:30 pm • Sunday 5 pm - 8 pm
10% OFF
DINE IN OR TAKE OUT With this ad, one per table.
OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon-Thur 11.30am-2.30pm Fri 10am-10pm Sat 11am-10pm Sun 11am-9pm We can accommodate parties up to 50 people for that special occasion.
EXTRA SENIORS DISCOUNT