thrive. is happy to welcome Amy Fendrich as the new face of the “Ask the Doctor” column. Dr. Fendrich is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. She is a Senior Medical Director for government programs and Medical Policy at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Member: I can only make it to the grocery store every couple weeks. Do you have any tips for how I can still eat healthy? —Kiara, Robbinsdale
Dr. Fendrich: One of the easiest ways to eat healthy is to add a couple servings of vegetables and fruits to every meal. You should also make sure to get enough complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and healthy fats. And with winter coming up, it’s important to help your body’s immune system by eating healthy.
If you can only make it to the grocery store every couple weeks, that may be hard. But it doesn’t have to be. Follow these tips. Find the Frozen Aisle If you only go to the grocery store every couple weeks, you probably run out of fresh fruits and vegetables between trips. But frozen foods can last several months. Plus, they’re tasty, affordable, and still provide important nutrients. Fill your cart with frozen veggies like corn, peas, and green beans. As well as:
Frozen fruit—strawberries, raspberries, pineapple
Frozen grains—white rice, brown rice
Frozen meat—seafood, lean beef, cod, chicken
Put a Lid On It
Canned and jarred foods are great pantry staples. They’re affordable, nutritious, and flavorful. And, they can last up to a year or longer. Some ideas:
Canned vegetables—corn, beets, peas
Canned meat—seafood, tuna, chicken, salmon
Jarred vegetables—tomatoes, peppers, pickles
Boxed & Bagged
Keep filling your grocery cart with foods high in fiber and healthy fats. Try rice, beans, potatoes, pasta, or oatmeal.
If you have questions or comments on thrive. email us at thrivemagazine@bluecrossmn.com