Where to Shop in the Grocery Store

  I've heard it said many times that you should shop the outside perimeter of the grocery store to get the healthiest foods. I couldn't disagree more. 
  It's true that lots of healthy, delicious foods are stocked in the outside sections of grocery stores. Foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, lean meats, fresh fish, and low-fat dairy products are indeed good for your health, but there are also plenty of healthy items in the inside aisles. Plus, the outer perimeter also stocks pastries, refined grains, high fat meats, high fat dairy products, and desserts. 
  Avoiding the inner aisles means missing out on whole grain cereals, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, dried beans, tea, whole grain snack bars and crackers, heart healthy oils, canned tuna, and other types of heart healthy fish. In fact, the American Dietetic Association now says that fresh, canned, or frozen fruits and vegetables are all equally nutritious. Fresh produce is great when it is in season and is affordable, but canned and frozen produce is much more convenient. It can be used in recipes and can be stored much longer, which saves money. I really like the individual fruit cups for snacks or to pack in lunches.
  The outside aisles of the grocery store certainly have a lot to offer, but so do the inner aisles. It's more important to learn how to choose healthy foods, rather than trying to only shop the outside of the store, which is not practical. Healthy, convenient, and economical foods are found all over the grocery store. Learning how to eat better will improve the nutrient content of the foods you cook at home and will help you choose more wisely when dining out.