Follow several Michiana women who are ready to improve their health with the Go Red BetterU Heart Healthy Makeover Challenge. They will address their unique health obstacles as they take the 12-week challenge. By using BetterU, a free online tool that provides resources and tools, and receiving support from a team of experts, the women will be on their way to leading longer, healthier lives. Why not join BetterU today so you, too, can become a BetterU!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Supermarket Scavenger Hunt Made Just for a BetterU - Buyer Beware

To kick-start the 2013 BetterU Challengers on their road to better health Michiana American Heart Association hosted a Supermarket Scavenger Hunt thanks to Martin's Supermarkets. The challengers supported by their family, friends and each other enjoyed a healthy dinner and scavenged the supermarket for healthy foods guided by Health Coach, Cindy Cohen RN of C2 Your Health LLC.

Erin Crawford Cressy, Behavior Coach discussed what behaviors would be helpful in developing healthy living strategies and Laura Guy, American Heart Association (AHA) reviewed healthy eating tools available from AHA.

Some of the things we learned ...
  • It's easy to be fooled by the advertisements on the front of the food packaging. Some manufactures claim on the package something entirely different that what is on the ingredient list such as " No Trans Fats" on the front of the pack and hydrogenated oils on the label.
  • Fiber is our friend and not always where you think it is. Foods containing at least 1gm of fiber are the best choices.   
  • It's hard to find flavored drinks that don't contain additives (unhealthy); the ones with artificial sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup, so water is always the better choice.
  • Many foods are loaded with more than days serving of salt (sodium) in one serving such as some soups and spaghetti sauces.
  • How to make sense of food certifying organizations such as organic, gluten free, and Heart Check - American Heart Association approved.

The Supermarket Scavenger Hunt Class demonstrates the road to better health is not always clear and it's important to be aware of the pot holes (TV ads) and warning signs (misleading labels) along the way. Adding new meaning to the seemingly harmless act of going to the grocery store to "buyer beware"; as Dr. David Katz, Nutrition Detectives says about some foods "Step away and no on will get hurt."

What did you learn the last time you went grocery shopping at the supermarket?

You partner in health,







Cindy Cohen RN, Health Coach

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