Shop the Perimeter

Practical Pointers
Discover Shortcuts Devised by Colleagues

Patients want and need information about diet. I recommend that they “shop the perimeter.” This means they should do most of their grocery shopping among the fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, and nonfat dairy products, all of which are located on the outer edges of the supermarket. Advise judicious shopping of the middle aisles, focusing there on complex carbohydrates and grains. Most foods in the middle of the store that have an extended shelf life are likely to contain trans fats and unhealthy carbohydrates.  ■