Supermarket Savvy

Buying organic can be difficult and costly. Most mainstream markets carry only a small selection of organic produce and meats and they can be very costly. We're also learning that organic doesn't always mean the best quality or bang for your buck.

Below is an excerpt from Stroller Traffic on shopping supermarket savvy.

Chicken and beef. Seek out free-range chicken and grass-fed (or pasture-fed) beef. Meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs that are certified organic are not medicated with antibiotics or steroid hormones, and have indeed been fed certified organic food. However that statement does not tell us specifically what they have been fed (corn? grass? grains?). When cows and chickens are allowed to eat their natural diet, their eggs, milk and meat tend to be richer in nutrients and typically have higher levels of omega-3 (and fewer omega-6) fatty acids, which helps improve our omega 3/6 balance. Free-range, pasture-fed animals are typically treated more humanely and taste better, too.

Soy products. Look for "non-GMO" on the label. Genetically modified foods are on the rise. Also known as genetically modified organisms (GMO), these foods are created by changing the DNA of a plant's seeds (genetically modifying the seed). It's typically done to increase a plant’s ability to fend off bugs or to increase a crop's production. However, the new genes of a genetically modified plant create a new protein that the human digestive tract has never seen before. Some studies suggest that the human body may have trouble digesting these new proteins, and that this may in fact increase the incidence of soy allergies.

Pasta. Unless your child has a gluten allergy, you do not need to stock up on gluten-free pasta. (Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat; it is not bad for you unless you have a gluten allergy or intolerance). Instead, look for whole grain pasta with at least 4 grams of fiber per serving. One of my favorites is Barilla Plus, which contains 4 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein per serving, versus the 2 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein found in regular white pasta.

Peanut butter. Read the ingredients. Even some organic brands contain added sugar and hydrogenated fats; your peanut butter should contain only peanuts—and maybe some salt, but that is it!

Cereal. Many brands are not as healthy as their names suggest. Just because a cereal is labeled organic does not mean it is more nutritious. Often, they are loaded with extra sugar: "evaporated cane juice" is still SUGAR. For example, Barbara’s Shredded Oats contains 12 grams of sugar per serving—more than Kellogg's Frosted Flakes! On the contrary, Post Shredded Wheat n' Bran contains no added ingredients—just 100 percent whole wheat and wheat bran (and less than 1 gram of sugar). Top with fresh fruit and enjoy.

Yogurt. Organic yogurts do not use any artificial sweeteners. Therefore, the flavored versions typically have a lot of added sugar. Your best bet is to buy plain yogurt and flavor it yourself with cinnamon or fresh fruit or defrosted frozen fruit or wheat germ or nuts . . . .