Shop smart at the grocery store

A healthy diet starts in the grocery store, but knowing what to choose when you get there can be challenging.

The N.C. Division of Public Health and the N.C. Cooperative Extension has created "Aisle by Aisle: Choosing Foods Wisely" – a series of 12 free online videos with tips to help people navigate the grocery store aisles.


Each video is about two minutes long and offers tips on how to read nutrition labels and understand ingredient lists. They include tip sheets that can be downloaded to carry in a purse, pocket or coupon book for ready reference.


Find them at: http://www.myeatsmartmovemore.com/.

“Most people know they should eat a healthy diet to prevent disease and promote good health, but there is still a gap between what we know and what we do,” said Dr. Ruth Petersen, chief of the Chronic Disease and Injury Section in the Division of Public Health.

Dr. Carolyn Dunn, a nutrition specialist with N.C. Cooperative Extension, said the videos can “help shoppers reach the goal of cooking and eating more meals at home – an important strategy for managing weight and controlling sodium, fat and sugar.”