Hy-Vee Dietitian Shares How to Find Healthy Options Outside of the Produce Aisle

You may have heard to only “shop the perimeter” in the grocery store, but there are healthy options in frozen foods and even the canned goods aisles, as long as you know what to look for. Hy-Vee’s Registered Dietician Melissa Jaeger shares what to look for when shopping as well as meal prep options that you might not know about.

“We have Freezer Meal Prep Workshops that we host on monthly basis, with a rotating menu. So in under 60 meals, you can prep five freezer ready meals to feed you and your family,” explained Jaeger. “So it’s a great way to save time and answer that ‘what’s for dinner tonight?’ question by having food that’s all ready to go.”

Dietitians also are on hand to share tips, substitutions and ideas too.

But Jaeger says when it comes to eating healthy, look at labels–don’t get stuck only shopping on the perimeter of the store. 

“There are great items that can still help you build a balanced plate in our frozen department, in our center aisles, sometimes it’s a matter of picking them up, looking at the label a little bit and figuring out what’s going to create that convenient meal option while giving you a nutrient dense meal to build from,” said Jaeger.

Jaeger says look for fiber and protein in the product and look to limit sodium, fat, salt and sugars.   

“It’s about finding that balance,” said Jaeger. 

Learn more about the dietary services and more at hyvee.com/health

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