HOUSTON—Consumers who shop the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid the aisles have a better chance of keeping off unwanted pounds, according to a new study from The Methodist Hospital System.
“In most grocery stores, the aisles are filled with canned goods, frozen and boxed dinners that are loaded with fat and extra unnecessary calories,” said Gaye Lynn Hicks, RD, LD, with the Methodist Weight Management Center. “The perimeter features fruits, vegetables, lean meats and other healthy fair. Your body gets all the nutrients, sugars and fats it needs from the daily requirements of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, dairy and whole grains. All of these items are located around the perimeter of most grocery stores.”
Hicks noted that if 90 percent of what is in your shopping cart is from around the perimeter of the store, you are eating a clean, healthy diet.
