10 Tips for Healthier Food Choices

You don't have to be a kid to benefit from these 10 simple tips that will guide you in choosing healthier, tastier foods:

1. Choose meat, poultry and dairy products from animals not given added hormones or antibiotics. Read the label carefully, or choose organics.
2. Fish around for safer, more sustainable seafood. Know the source. Ask about mercury content. When choosing farm-raised, look for fish never given added hormones or antibiotics.
3. Trade hydrogenated oils and trans fats for foods with better fats, including olives, nuts and nut butters, avocados, seeds, eggs and certain types of fish.
4. Favor fresh fruits and veggies, particularly organics, and eat a rainbow of colors. When you need a shortcut, choose frozen over canned.
5. Skip the artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners. Savor the taste of unadulterated real foods.
6. Lighten up on refined sugar. Satisfy a sweet tooth with fresh or dried fruit.
7. Avoid high-fructose corn syrup. You may be surprised where you find it, so always check the label.
8. Go for whole grains. You’ll get more fiber, and in many cases more protein and essential vitamins.
9. Say yes to organics whenever you can. You’ll lessen exposure to toxic, persistent pesticides and help the planet, too!
10. Nix the nitrates and nitrites added to lunchmeats and bacon. Whole Foods Market offers meats with no synthetic nitrates or nitrites.