Shopping Guide Here are a few tricks and tips to make shopping cheaper, faster, and easier. In general look for fruit that is either in season or frozen. If you can’t find something, use the Swap Guide on page 12 to get an alternative. BUY IN SEASON —Out-of-season produce that had to be flown in from the Southern hemisphere will cost several times more per pound. You can check online to see what produce is currently in season in your area. BUY WHOLE — Precut and prewashed fruit and packaged veggies come with an additional cost; weigh convenience against your budget. BUY IN BULK AND FREEZE — Make sure that you’re really going to use the fruits and that they can be frozen! COMPARE PRICES — Check your local newspaper, in-store and on-line for store specials and coupons that can cut food costs. STICK TO THE LIST — For the smoothies, refer to the shopping list provided and don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry!
Fresh vs Frozen
Wondering which one is nutritionally healthier? Well, you may be surprised to know that frozen produce may be healthier than some of the fresh ones sold in supermarkets. That’s because frozen fruits and vegetables are first blanched to kill bacteria and inactivate enzymes that degrade foods and then quickly frozen to lock in the nutrients. On the other hand, produce that is transported around the country are picked before they ripen and thus, before they have time to reach their full nutrient ‘potential’. Moreover, they are also exposed to a lot of heat and light during transportation, which destroys delicate vitamins and minerals.
Storing Fruits And Vegetables As I’m sure you know, greens can wilt and spoil before you have a chance to use them. So, here are a few tricks to keep your leafy greens fresh for as long as possible: The
THE SMOOTHIE DIET – © Drew Sgoutas
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