Most communities have at least one health-food store. In addition to food products, many of these shops also sell vitamins and other food supplements. Many people are attracted to them because they think the products are of higher quality or “purer” than those found in local stores or supermarkets.
Some aspects of health-food stores may be helpful if you are trying to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. Unlike in most supermarkets, small quantities of food can usually be purchased. The shops carry items that do not contain as many additives and preservatives as commercially prepared products: this reduces their shelf life. Of course, not all food additives are harmful; however, some found in many commercial foods may be unnecessary.
Decreasing the amount of salt and sugar in your diet is desirable as you grow older. When you read the labels of many commercially prepared cereals and breads, you will find that they often contain excessive amounts of both. Health-food stores may have cereals and breads that contain little or no salt and sugar. But be aware that “sea salt” and honey have many of the same deleterious effects as table salt and refined sugar. Do not assume that you can eat unlimited quantities of these products just because they are sold in health-food stores.
There should be a place in your diet for whole-grain cereals and breads, nuts, and dried fruits, such as dates, figs, prunes, and apricots. These can usually be purchased without unnecessary additives. You can also find cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products without salt, sugar, and preservatives. These may be more appropriate for your diet than similar products sold elsewhere.
One product that I often recommend is granola-type cereal. You can also buy the ingredients separately and mix them yourself. They are a useful source of the B complex vitamins and natural fiber and do not contain sugar, salt, or preservatives. They make a tasty and nutritious breakfast cereal and can also be used in cooking and baking. Peanut butter without sugar, salt, corn syrup and hydrogenated oils is also a good source of vegetable protein.
The vitamins and various food supplements sold in health-food stores are usually not necessary to ensure your good health and nutrition. Sometimes they may even be harmful, particularly when taken in large quantities. Their quality control may be below standard, and they may contain substances that you cannot tolerate.
Judiciously buying small quantities of good-quality cereals, nuts, breads, dried fruits, juices, and dairy products can be economical, but some products are more expensive in these stores. Examine the products and the labels carefully and choose those items that are economical and useful to ensure a well-balanced diet. Many supermarkets now carry products similar to those sold in health-food stores to be competitive. Compare the ingredients and prices. You may find that you can buy an equivalent product at a lower price, or that the health-food store product suits your needs better than other available products.
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