It’s tough enough as it is to eat the right foods, but it is even harder if you are not buying nutritious foods in the first place.
The basic premise you should follow when grocery shopping is to stick to the list, never shop on an empty stomach, and avoid the aisles. Try to choose a supermarket that provides you a good value for your money and has a wide variety of fresh produce.
Whenever possible, make an effort to buy fruits and vegetables from a farmers market to ensure the best quality.
This is not an exhaustive list, but a guide to follow:
- Organic chicken breast
- Fresh-caught salmon filet
- Grass-fed beef filet
- Trout
- Broccoli
- Chestnut mushrooms and red peppers
- Green beans
- Sweet potato
- Quinoa
- Bag of spinach and Italian parsley
- Celery and an English cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
- Baby carrots (cut and peeled)
- Whole wheat pita
- Hummus
- Greek yogurt
- Strawberry Greek yogurt
- Trail Mix (unsalted and unroasted)
- Raw cashews, raw almonds, and walnuts.
- Apples and bananas
- Watermelon and cantaloupe
- Blueberries and strawberries
- Beets and sweet corn
- Garbanzo beans
- Red onion, white onion, garlic cloves.
- Oat meal and cranberries
- Organic Grade A brown eggs
- Peanut butter
- Extra Virgin Olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Almond milk and lactose-free 2% milk.
- Green or mint tea with honey
- Black pepper, paprika, garlic pepper, sea salt, oregano, rosemary.
I regularly recommend the foods listed above to LA Galaxy players to ensure that they can make a range of healthy meals.
There is a big debate on the value of organic foods; Personally, I think you should try to buy organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy whenever you can. However, if an organic product is almost twice the price of the regular product, then in my opinion, it is not a good value for the money.
It’s important to realize that foods can be hydrating, as well as dehydrating. Foods with a high water content and nutrient content, such as salads, fruit, and vegetables can also help you stay hydrated.
Try to avoid overcooking your vegetables, adding any extra salt to your meal, and frying foods in general.
For any questions, follow me on Twitter: @alexsavva19
Yours hydrated,
Alex Savva