IN THIS GUIDE, I DEBUNK SOME BIG MYTHS

AROUND EATING A HEALTHY DIET AND PROVIDE THE KEY

PRINCIPLES TO MAKE SHOPPING FOR FOOD
PAINLESS, JOYFUL, AND QUICK.

By Dr. Mark Hyman

27
 FOOD
THE DEFINITIVE SHOPPER’S GUIDE

Introduction......................................................................................2

Shopping for Basics.......................................................................3

Shopping on a Budget..................................................................4

Shopping in a Time Crunch.........................................................9

How to be a Responsible & Ethical Eater............................... 14

References & Resources........................................................... 24

© 2018 Hyman Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Welcome to:
The Definitive Shopper’s Guide!

I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the world of grocery

shopping. Even in health food stores there seems to be thousands
of products, all claiming to be healthy in some shape or form. It’s all
enough to make you throw up your hands in defeat thinking, “What the
heck should I eat?”

That is why I wrote Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? I wanted to create
a balanced, inclusive eater’s guide to the world as we know it in 2018.
Think of this shopper’s guide as a companion resource to the book.

In this guide, I will ...

• debunk big myths around eating a healthy diet

• provide the key principles on how to make shopping for food
painless, joyful, and quick
• show you how to ease your food shopping fears, giving you access
to the best foods without spending a ton of money and time

The road to your best health shouldn’t be time-consuming, dreadful, or

overly expensive. I hope you find this guide helpful in your pursuit of
health and responsible eating.

I wish you so much success on your journey toward your best health.

Mark Hyman, MD

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SHOPPING FOR BASICS

For a well-stocked kitchen, there are some essential staples you’ll want to make sure
you keep on hand. These ingredients will enable you to make the recipes included
in the companion guide – Food: 7-Day Meal Plan and Recipe Guide – and will also
become staples in your kitchen that you will use in creating future meals. Because
you only use a little of some of these, they tend to last a long time, so you get a lot
of value from them.

HERE IS A LIST OF STAPLES YOU’LL NEED

TO PUT TOGETHER DELICIOUS AND WHOLESOME MEALS

• Extra-virgin olive oil • Seeds (hemp, chia, flax,

• Extra-virgin coconut oil pumpkin, sesame)

• Apple cider vinegar • Grass-fed butter, clarified butter,

or ghee
• Balsamic, unseasoned rice,
red wine, and white wine vinegars • Canned (BPA-free) full-fat coconut
milk, unsweetened
• Reduced-sodium, gluten-free tamari
• Canned or jarred Kalamata olives
• Reduced-sodium broth
(vegetable or chicken) • Almond meal, almond flour,
and coconut flour
• Dijon mustard
(look for pure mustard without • Arrowroot powder
sugar or chemicals) • Unsweetened hemp, almond,
• Sea salt or coconut milk

• Freshly ground black pepper • Frozen blueberries, raspberries,

blackberries, and unsweetened
• Detoxifying and anti-inflammatory acai puree
herbs and spices (ginger, turmeric,
cinnamon, cayenne pepper, thyme, • Frozen organic vegetables
rosemary, cumin, sage, oregano, (if fresh are out of season or
onion powder, coriander, cilantro, unavailable locally; make sure
paprika, parsley) nothing has been added)

• Nuts • Frozen grass-fed meats

(walnuts, pecans, almonds, (beef, bison, lamb)
macadamia nuts, Brazil– • Frozen organic and free-range
but no peanuts) chicken and turkey
• Nut butters (raw if possible), • Clean fish
such as almond, cashew, (wild-caught salmon, sardines,
macadamia, or walnut local fish to your region
www.localcatch.org)

3
SHOPPING ON A BUDGET

The truth is, you can eat healthy, delicious foods that are good for your body and
good for your budget. Knowing full well we are short on time and often money, fast
food manufacturers and grocers lure us into convenient, heavily processed meals
that take a toll on our waistline, our overall health, and believe it or not, our wallets.

With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than
cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy
schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to fall to
the bottom of our priorities.

As a result, we have now raised several generations of Americans who don’t know
how to cook. And it’s killing us.

The food industry wants us to believe that cooking is difficult, time-consuming,

inconvenient, and expensive.

Nonsense. You can eat well for less money by making simple, whole, fresh food. In
fact, a simple dinner for a family of four consisting of a healthy protein, vegetables,
and salad can cost about half of what dinner at a fast food restaurant would.

While today the majority of meals are consumed outside the home, I want to help
you reconnect with your kitchen and learn just how inexpensive preparing your own
healthy foods can be.

THE HIGH COST OF CHEAP FOOD

It’s a common misconception that only a select part of our population can afford
organic produce and healthy cuts of meat. When someone mentions this to me, I ask
them to consider the enormous markup of many convenience foods. Manufacturers
are clever at packaging them in ways to make us think we are getting a bargain. They
do this by using “value-priced, jumbo-sized” containers and promoting them with
price cuts to create the illusion of “getting a deal.”

When people say to me “eating healthy is expensive,” I ask them to add up what they
spend at coffee shops, grab-and-go meals, and other conveniences that might spare
them a little time at the expense of their health.

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Relying on inexpensive, overly processed food is tempting, given our demanding
lives and schedules, but the cost is quite large.

Feasting on the sodium, fat, and sugar bombs disguised as food can lead to
serious diseases that cost hundreds of dollars in doctors’ visits and prescription
drugs. Chowing down on these things makes us sick and sluggish, resulting in less
productivity. When we feel crummy, it ripples into other areas of our lives. We have
less patience for our loved ones, for instance, and less energy for work and enjoying
ourselves.

In the bigger picture, that “value menu” is anything but a value.

YOU DON’T NEED TO BREAK THE BANK TO EAT HEALTHY

Even if time and money aren’t on your side, you can still eat healthy. This is one of the
most common misconceptions I hear. I understand the challenges of trying to eat well
with limited financial resources, limited time, or both. But you don’t have to be rich or
retired to eat well and take care of yourself.

There’s been many points in my life where I’ve lived on very little and had to figure
out how to make it work. In college and medical school, I lived on $300 a month
(for rent, food, and entertainment). And in residency, I lived on $27,000 a year while
supporting a wife and two children. Even though that was 30-some-odd years ago, it
still wasn’t much for a family of four.

I’ve met numerous folks with limited finances and time who, nonetheless, have
access to good quality food. Trust me, they don’t search out arcane ingredients or
shop at trendy food boutiques. Instead, they realize the immediate and long-term
value of eating healthy and employ some savvy strategies to make their food budget
work harder.

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SHOPPING ON A BUDGET

DEBUNKING “HEALTHY EATING” MYTHS

I mentioned earlier that the food industry spends billions of dollars each year and has
become incredibly crafty at convincing us that sugary, processed foods are a real value.

LET’S LOOK AT THREE OF THEIR MYTHS AND CONSIDER

THE TRUTH ABOUT EATING HEALTHY

1 2 3
Healthy food Healthy food Healthy food takes
is more expensive. is difficult to find. a lot of time and
energy to prepare.

Research shows eating You don’t have to shop You don’t have to spend
healthy, whole, real in a gourmet food store, hours cooking complex
food isn’t necessarily a health-food store, meals to eat well. Good
more expensive than a farmer’s market, or quality, fresh food is easy
eating junk food, fast eat only organic to eat to make and enjoy once
food, processed foods, well. There are plenty you learn how.
or convenience foods. of healthy foods right in
In fact, the top four your local supermarket.
things purchased in Just shop around
supermarkets are ALL the outside aisles of
classified as drugs: the store, find online
sugar, caffeine, nicotine, bargains, or consider a
and alcohol! If you give small container garden.
up those “drugs,” your It’s incredible how much
grocery bill will go down produce you can grow in
dramatically. a small space.

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8 STRATEGIES TO EAT WELL ON A BUDGET

Ultimately, it is up to us to take control of our kitchens and our lives. One of the most
impactful choices we can make for the health of ourselves, our families, our planet,
AND our wallets is to prepare our own meals. This puts us in the driver’s seat of
deciding what goes into our bodies, allowing us to make the best food selections
within our budgets and reclaim our health.

This does not mean turning bargain food shopping into a second hobby. We are all
overworked, overstressed, and overtaxed. Most of us don’t have time to scrupulously
compare store prices or cut coupons.

Even so, there are ways of making choices that work within our resources.

Here are 8 ideas to save time and money

and create better health:

1. Keep a daily journal. This might be the most eye-opening experience you will
encounter to better budget your time, resources, and money. For just one week,
keep a journal of every penny you spend and how you spend every hour of the
day. Think of money as your life energy. It represents your time in physical form.
How do you want to spend this life energy?

2. Choose a food vice you can give up that will save you money.
For example, don’t buy that $2.00 coffee every day — that’s $730 a year!
Likewise, you might find yourself gravitating to the vending machine daily.
As you are tempted, just think about how you can put all that money
towards much better use.

3. Buy fruits and veggies “in season.” You will almost always get fresher produce,
probably locally grown, for less money, when it is in season.

4. Learn the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15.” Not everyone has the budget to buy
100 percent organic; however, the more you can go organic, the more you will
avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and move toward better health.
There are some fruits and veggies that have more pesticide residue than others.
Learn this list and do your best to prioritize organic (see the Ethical Eater’s
section for the full list).

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SHOPPING ON A BUDGET

5. Shop at discount grocery stores. Search out cheaper sources of fresh, whole
foods in your neighborhood. My top choices are stores like Trader Joe’s and
shopping clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club, where you can buy vegetables, olive
oil, fruits, nuts, canned beans, frozen berries, sardines, and salmon at much
lower prices than regular supermarkets or other retail chains.

6. Consider alternatives to grocery stores:

a. Join a local food co-op. Co-ops are community-based organizations

that support local farmers and businesses and allow you to order foods
and products in bulk at just slightly over the wholesale price. This takes a
bit of advance planning but will save you money.

b. Join a community-supported agriculture program (CSA). Buy

direct and cut out the middleman. You can get organic, seasonal, local
vegetables delivered to your house, which breaks down to a very
reasonable price per family member.

Bonus: When you don’t know exactly what you’ll get each week, you
may even become more creative in the kitchen.

c. Order kitchen staples online. There are online stores, such as

www.thrive.com, that offer discount prices on healthy kitchen staples
such as coconut oil, almond butter, and spices.

7. Keep a few basic ingredients on hand at all times. Develop a repertoire of

cheap, easy-to-prepare meals. Have the ingredients available at home at all
times so you don’t get stuck eating food that doesn’t make you feel well or help
you create the health you want.

8. Organize a potluck club. Have coworkers share the responsibility of making

lunch for the group once a week or every two weeks. No more buying lunch
out, and you get to eat real, whole, fresh food and only have to cook a few times
a month. Or create a “supper club” with a group of friends. Rather than go out
to dinner, once a week or once a month rotate dinner parties at each other’s
homes. You will build community and health at the same time.

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SHOPPING IN A TIME CRUNCH

Time is a commodity as our obligations increase. Unfortunately, our health often

becomes shortchanged as we pack in more responsibilities. A drive-thru or ordering-
in seems like the fastest and best food choice, contributing to our ever-expanding
diabesity epidemic.

These days, I understand more than ever what it’s like to have very little free time. My
days are filled with patient care, teaching other doctors, acting as Chairman of the
Institute for Functional Medicine, writing books and blogs, giving lectures, spending
time with my friends and family, and being a father, all while trying to fit in exercise
and sleep.

Many of my patients are equally time-crunched, and grocery shopping often falls to
the bottom of their to-do lists. They wait until the last minute and then become forced
to make do with grabbing whatever’s available, even if it’s more costly and their
choices become less-than-ideal for their health and their waistline.

I’m here to say that with a little preparation and some shopping savvy, you can keep
your kitchen stocked with healthy, nourishing foods without spending hours driving
from market to market or searching for gourmet ingredients.

PLAN BEFORE YOU GO

A little preparation will dramatically shorten your shopping time, while expanding
your wallet and health.

These 6 strategies can help:

1. Plan a weekly menu. Take a look at the recipes in this guide or search through
your favorite cookbooks or online blogs. Refer to the companion guide –
Food: 7-Day Meal Plan for suggestions on creating simple and delicious menus.

2. Make a shopping list. Have a shopping list every time you go to the supermarket
and stick to it. You will save your money and your life. Keep this shopping list
stored in your phone or somewhere you can always refer back to it. You will likely
find yourself replenishing the same ingredients for the recipes you enjoy.

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SHOPPING IN A TIME CRUNCH

3. Make shopping a weekly ritual. Choose a specific day and time when you’ll
shop each week so it becomes an ingrained ritual.

4. Take stock of what you have. Before you shop, clean out any old perishable
foods from your refrigerator and determine if you can substitute something
you already have for something on the shopping list. Decide which items you’d
like to make a double batch of to freeze for future use. Items that are great for
freezing include soups and stews, burgers, meat loaf, rice dishes, and sauces.

5. Repurpose your existing stock. If you have leftovers that cannot be

successfully frozen, look ahead and plan where in your week you will use them.
Make sure you have plenty of storage containers. Glass works best to preserve
flavors (check out Pyrex for fridge to oven to table convenience). Take an extra
few minutes to arrange your cupboards and refrigerator to reflect the order in
which items will be used. It is helpful to have containers for all refrigerated items
that go with a particular meal to be stored together and labeled.

6. Consider home delivery. Buy direct and cut out the middleman. One of my
favorite places to get wild-caught seafood and is Vital Choice (www.vitalchoice.
com). Just about everything else, from spices to nut butters, you will find at very
reasonable prices at Thrive Market (www.thrivemarket.com).

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3 STEPS TO ENSURING YOU HAVE THE RIGHT FOODS ON
HAND AT ALL TIMES

Now that you’ve sufficiently planned ahead, this is where the fun begins. Perhaps it’s
been awhile since you explored the produce section of your grocery store or visited
a farmer’s market. Maybe you’re unfamiliar with the bounty of fresh vegetables that
you can use as the basis for many meals that are the foundation of this program. The
truth is that the key to success is a well-stocked kitchen, which allows you to whip up
a meal on even the busiest of days.

Here are some of the things

you should always have on hand:

Step 1: Hit the Periphery for Fresh Foods

Look around your market the next time you are there – you will notice
that the whole, fresh foods are stocked on the outside aisles, not in the
inside shelves. Stick to these aisles for the main ingredients of your meals.
Check out the following section to see how to be a responsible and ethical
shopper, choosing foods that are good for you and good for the planet.
Armed with these strategies, you can radically simplify grocery store visits
while keeping your kitchen stocked with real, fresh, whole foods.

Step 2: Stock Up on Healthy Produce

Non-starchy veggies are freebies—eat as much as you like! I recommend

limiting fruits because too much can increase your insulin levels.

When possible, choose organic, seasonal, and local produce. In the winter
months, or when your favorite produce is out of season, you can find
organic versions in the freezer section.

When you can, avoid the most pesticide contaminated fruits and
vegetables by consulting the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty
Dozen” list and instead choose from the “Clean Fifteen” list, featuring the
least contaminated options. Just make sure you’re buying unseasoned
or unsweetened varieties. Also check out your local farmer's market or
community supported agriculture (CSA).
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SHOPPING IN A TIME CRUNCH

BELOW ARE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO CONSIDER -

GET ADVENTUROUS AND PICK A FEW YOU’VE NEVER TRIED
(see EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 on page 15)

• Artichokes • Kiwi
• Arugula • Lettuce
• Asparagus • Lemons
• Avocados • Limes
• Bean sprouts • Mushrooms
• Beet greens • Mustard greens
• Bell peppers • Onions
(red, yellow, green) • Parsley
• Blueberries • Pomegranate seeds
• Broccoli • Radicchio
• Brussels sprouts • Radishes
• Cabbage • Shallots
• Cauliflower • Snap beans
• Celery • Snow peas
• Chives • Spinach
• Collard greens • Summer squash
• Dandelion greens • Swiss chard
• Eggplant • Tomatoes
• Endive • Turnip greens
• Fennel • Watercress
• Garlic • Zucchini
• Ginger root • Seasonings and dried spices:
• Green beans turmeric, cayenne pepper, thyme,
• Hearts of palm rosemary, chili powder, cumin,
sage, oregano, onion powder,
• Jalapeno peppers cinnamon, coriander, cilantro,
• Kale paprika, and parsley

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Step 3: Re-stock often on all the Kitchen Basics to make sure you are
always ready to prepare home-cooked, healthy and delicious meals.

Re-stock often
on all the
Kitchen Basics

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HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE & ETHICAL EATER

CHOOSING THE BEST FOOD OPTIONS

One of the most powerful ways you can make a difference in your life, the lives
of those you love, and the planet is to choose nutrient dense foods. Most people
are familiar with “organic” versus “conventional” and are aware that organic is the
option to choose if you want to limit your exposure to harmful chemicals such as
pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and hormones. However, “organic” is only a part
of the equation. In the following sections, we’ll look at the importance of eating “real”
foods, local foods, foods grown without antibiotics and other harmful chemicals, and
how to choose the best options in meat, poultry & eggs, fish, dairy, grains, beans,
fruit, sweeteners, nuts & seeds, and oils.

EAT ORGANIC (AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE)

Ideally, all food would be grown without toxic pesticides and herbicides or added
hormones and antibiotics. We wouldn’t be faced with the decision of purchasing
healthier vs. less expensive.

I advise my patients to look for organic when they can and to use the Environmental
Working Group’s Dirty Dozen / Clean 15 to prioritize what foods should be sourced
organically because of the high chemical residues, and which can be sources
conventionally to work within a budget.

EAT REAL FOOD

Real food comes from the earth, fuels our bodies on a cellular level, gives us energy,
and sustains us. It is not the industrialized, hyper-processed, hyper-palatable junk
that degrades us and makes us sick. Most Americans don’t eat food anymore.
They eat factory-made, food-like substances which contain any number of the
following: trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial
sweeteners, colors, additives, preservatives, pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones.
Most Americans have all but lost their taste of what “real food” actually tastes like. In
the Food: 7-Day Meal Plan companion guide, I help you rediscover your taste for
true foods that will leave you feeling satiated and inspired to explore new recipes.

14
 Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen / Clean 15

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15
HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE & ETHICAL EATER

EAT LOCAL WHENEVER POSSIBLE

“Local” should be another qualifier when choosing your foods. From produce to
meat, fish, and eggs—locally grown matters. Eating local ensures you are getting the
freshest food possible.

The minute you pick a piece of fruit or a vegetable, it begins to lose its nutritive qualities.
Add to that, most produce is picked unripe and left to ripen en route to the grocery
store, meaning it never develops its full capacity of antioxidants, such as vitamin C.

Each dollar you spend on local produce is a vote to support local farmers and
small businesses in your local economy. You also support reducing fossil fuels and
greenhouse gas emissions because of the miles of travel that are saved getting fresh
food to your plate.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FOODS

BEST OPTIONS FOR MEAT

As we all know, the production of meat takes a huge toll on the environment—likely
greater than that of any other food. We should all be well versed in the inhumane
and unhealthy practices involved with factory farming. What is lesser known, is that
choosing the right kind of meat can have a positive impact on the environment,
animal welfare, and the quality of their meat.

Consider the following when choosing

the healthiest meat options:

• See if you can find grass-fed meat from small, sustainable farms, who also support
the fair treatment of workers and livestock
• The second best option, would be looking for the following labels on packaged
meat from your grocery store or co-op:
– “Grass-fed”
– “Organic”
– “Animal Welfare Approved” and/or “Certified Humane”

16
• Eat less meat. I am a huge advocate of a plant-based/Paleo hybrid diet, or what I
call The Pegan (paleo-vegan) Diet. I discuss this diet more thoroughly in my book,
Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?

BEST OPTIONS FOR POULTRY AND EGGS

Similar to commercial meat production, factory-farmed chickens are subject to
their own horrors. Chickens are the most drugged-up, caged-up animals that we
eat. On top of the unethical treatment of these birds, many chickens are pumped
with antibiotics, laborers on chicken farms endure brutal working conditions, and
factory-farmed poultry uses up a lot of natural resources, like water. Buying the best
poultry might be a bit more challenging than we thought. Fortunately, there are a lot
of resources dedicated to helping us find the most sustainable poultry and eggs.

Consider the following when choosing

the healthiest poultry and egg options:

• Buy chicken and eggs from small, local farms. For help in finding ones in your
area, use the following websites
– Local Harvest: http://www.localharvest.org
– Eat Wild: http://eatwild.com
• Shop farmer’s markets for farm fresh eggs
• Look for the following labels on poultry and eggs at your grocery store or co-op:
– “Animal Welfare Approved” and/or “Certified Humane”
– “Pasture-raised”
– “Organic”
• Want to know how ethical your eggs are? Check out this scorecard which rates
different egg companies based on how they treat their hens: https://www.
cornucopia.org/organicegg-scorecard/

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HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE & ETHICAL EATER

BEST OPTIONS FOR SEAFOOD

From overcrowding in toxic fish farms to slave labor, and overfishing to water pollution,
the reality is that most sources of fish and seafood are neither sustainable nor ethical.
However, there are steps we can take today to become more responsible eaters.

Consider the following when choosing

the healthiest seafood options:

• Eat “wild-caught” fish.

• Diversify fish choices to help with overfishing.
• Source local fish. You can do so by joining a Community Supported Fishery.
To find one in your area, visit www.www.localcatch.org.
• Be aware of how much mercury is in different kinds of fish and how often they
are safe to consume: Visit https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/walletcard.pdf
to download this wallet card from The National Resources Defense Council to
keep this information on hand.

BEST OPTIONS FOR DAIRY

The simple truth is that dairy is bad for our environment. Production of milk uses up
our natural resources; dairy cows live very sad lives; and dairy farming communities
are suffering because of exposure to waste pollution. The somewhat good news
here is that not all dairy is created equal, so if we absolutely must have our cheese,
yogurt, and milk, there are some options better than others.

Consider the following when choosing

the healthiest dairy options:

• Cut down on cheese or save it for the occasional treat

• Look for organic cheese from local farms
• Look for the labels:
– ““Animal Welfare Approved” and/or “Certified Humane”
– “Certified Organic”

18
• Consider goat or sheep milk dairy. Because they are not typically found on
mega-farms, chances are their milk is more ethically produced than cows’ milk.
Goats and sheep also produce less methane gas than cows; and because they
are smaller, they require fewer resources.
• Search out a local dairy by visiting: http://www.eatwild.com/
• To find pasture-fed, unprocessed, full-fat milk visit:
http://www.realmilk.com/real-milkfinder/
• See how ethical and sustainable your milk ranks, visit this website:
https:/ www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html

BEST OPTIONS FOR GRAINS

When choosing the best grains, there are some key factors to consider. The majority
of grain on the market has adverse effects on both consumers and the planet. Some
of the larger issues at play with grain production are monoculture, food additives,
pesticides/herbicides, and the cultivation of “super-grains” (i.e., quinoa), which due to
worldwide demand , is becoming too expensive for the native Andean farmers who
grow it, to consume themselves.

Consider the following when choosing

the best grain options:

• Limit grain consumption

• Eat a variety of grains
• Eat organic grains
• Try millet or teff, which requires fewer resources to produce

BEST OPTIONS FOR BEANS

When it comes to the best protein choices for our environment, beans and legumes
rank highly. With less water used and less greenhouse gas emissions produced than
meat, these vegetarian sources of protein will leave conscious consumers at ease.
The only bean that scores low is the ubiquitous soybean, which is cheap due to
farm subsidies and present in everything from unhealthy processed foods (soybean
oil, soy protein isolate) to livestock feed. Soybean agriculture relies heavily on

19
HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE & ETHICAL EATER

herbicides and pesticides, especially Roundup (glyphosate), possibly the most-used

toxic carcinogen on the face of the earth.

Consider the following when choosing

the best bean options:

• Choose organic beans (which are actually cheaper to produce than

conventional ones!).
• Avoid inflammation-causing soybean oil and conventional soy products.
• Soak and cook your own dry beans or buy canned beans with BPA free labels.
• Wash beans before cooking to remove harmful lectins (inflammatory agents).

BEST OPTIONS FOR FRUIT

Fruit is nature’s candy. Full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and even healthy fats
— hello avocados (which most don’t know is a fruit)! While fruit can be exceptionally
healthy, there are also some drawbacks to the types of fruit you might choose to eat
and the quantity that you consume. Certain fruits can have a high carbon footprint,
increased deforestation, and large pesticide load. They can also contribute to unsafe
and violent working conditions, as in the case of Ecuadorian children forced to work
in banana fields and packing plants where they are exposed to pesticides and other
unsafe conditions (Human Rights Watch, 2002).

Consider the following when choosing

the best fruit options:

• Shop fruit that is local, seasonal and organic (i.e. farmer’s markets).
• Look for the “Equal Exchange” sticker on bananas, which means the food was
produced in a safe way that is fair to workers. EE
• Buy whole fruit, instead of pre-cut and packaged in plastic.
• Eat high-sugar fruits in moderation. Consuming high-sugar fruits (i.e. mangoes,
pineapples, bananas) throughout the day can lead to increased blood sugar
levels and a myriad of health problems that follow. Check out the following sites
to find a local CSA or farmer’s market: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets

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BEST OPTIONS FOR SWEETENERS
You know how I say sugar is sugar is sugar? All forms pretty much have the same effect
on our bodies, but not the same effect on the environment. With the massive amount
of pesticides and what is involved in the production, sugarcane and sugar beets
have negative consequences for our air, soil, water, and wildlife. Splenda is polluting
our oceans because 90 percent is unabsorbed by our bodies and flushed down
our toilets into the waterways. Commercial beekeeping often involves practices like
cutting off the wings of queen bees to keep them from leaving the colony. Industrial
beekeeping has essentially turned into insect factory farming, with heavy pesticide
use and mysterious diseases popping up and killing massive amounts of bees.
Health wise, stevia is a decent option. Just look for Rainforest Alliance Certified and
organic brands to avoid the support of clear-cutting rainforest land.

Consider the following when choosing

the best options for sweeteners:

• Cut down or eliminate added sugars or sweeteners, for the health of your body
and the environment.
• If you want honey, check out this Ethical Consumer Guide, which shows where to
find the best brands: http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/buyersguides/food/honey.aspx

BEST OPTIONS FOR NUTS AND SEEDS

You might remember the headlines a few years ago about the California drought
and almond production. It takes about one gallon of water to grow just one almond.
Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios have a higher water footprint than other nuts and
seeds. Brazil nuts, which are grown in the Amazon, thrive in “undisturbed forests”
and rely on bees and other plants for survival. So, even though these nuts must
be imported from long distances, their existence depends on healthy forests, which
means that by eating Brazil nuts we are voting to keep forests healthy (http://www.
rainforest-alliance.org/species/brazil-nut-tree).

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HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE & ETHICAL EATER

Consider the following when choosing

the best option for nuts and seeds:

• Buy organic. Nuts and seeds are oily and absorb pesticides easily.
• Look for certified Fair Trade nuts and seeds to support ethical treatment of
workers: https://fairtradeusa.org
• Consider buying nuts and seeds online. My favorite place to buy organic nuts
and seeds is Thrive Market: https://thrivemarket.com/nuts-seeds-trail-mixes

BEST OPTIONS FOR OILS

Now that the war on fat is over, most of us have been embracing oils with open
arms. As a fat lover, this makes me happy, but I also want my readers to know that
not all oils are created equal. Even the production of healthy oils can have damaging
effects on rainforests, waterways, soil, farm workers, and more. It’s important to be
discriminating about our oils, for our health and for our environment. Vegetable
oils, like canola, soybean, corn, and safflower are just a few examples of the highly
inflammatory oils I recommend avoiding. Did you know that canola oil can even be
used as a pesticide?! If it kills bugs, what’s it doing to us? My advice is to stay away
from vegetable oils completely.

Consider the following when choosing

the best options for oils:

• For Palm oil, look for the “Certified Sustainable Palm Oil” (CSPO) label.
• Look for “Fair Trade” and “Organic” labels for coconut oil and olive oil.
• I recommend checking out Tom Mueller’s guide to buying better olive oil. He
features recommended brands and responsible consumer practices:
http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/great-oil/how-to-buy-great-olive-oil

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“ I truly believe that shopping for food
should be painless, joyful, and quick.
I hope that I have helped to ease your
food shopping fears by giving you access
to the best foods without spending
a ton of money and time.
”
Good luck!
Mark Hyman, MD

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REFERENCES & RESOURCES

Guide to Meat
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232573/
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/3/660S.full
http://waterfootprint.org/media/downloads/Report-48-WaterFootprint-AnimalProducts-Vol1.pdf
http://www.humanecologyreview.org/pastissues/her171/Fitzgerald.pdf
http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/geojpovlp15&div=17&id=&page=).
http://animalwelfareapproved.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/067b-Whats-yourbeef-full-report.pdf
https://www.foodpolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/food_miles_climate_impacts.pdf

Guide to Poultry and Eggs

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/etc/script.html
https://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/environmental-impacts-of-poultry-production-pfw.
1000101.php?aid=11847
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Lives_on_the_Line_Full_Report_Final.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/opinion/nicholas-kristof-abusing-chickens-we-eat.html
https://www.revealnews.org/article/10-things-to-know-before-you-eat-your-next-chicken-dinner

Guide to Seafood
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/science/04prof.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&pagewanted
=all&adxnnlx=1383768020-tsihop0SZ40Q6YdSIuQPsQ
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/explore/pristine-seas/critical-issues-overfishing/
https://www.wwf.or.jp/activities/lib/pdf_marine/tuna/onthebrinktunacollapse.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/supermarket-prawns-
thailandproduced-slave-labour

Guide to Nuts and Seeds

http://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/nuts/almonds/
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/08/21/342167846/california-drought-has-wild-
salmoncompeting-with-almonds-for-water
https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/10/03/national-cashew-day-more-nuts
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/ng-interactive/2013/nov/cashew-nut-
industrytrue-cost

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Guide to Fruit
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/aug/10/avocado-illegaldeforestation-
mexico-pine-forests
https://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/ecuador/ecuad0402-01.htm
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/reducing_wasted_
food_pkg_tool.pdf

Guide to Sweeteners
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/06/AR2008030603294.html
http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20130310/uncw-professors-study-splenda-in-cape-
fearriver
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep32108

Guide to Grains
https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1434/ML14345A564.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27529661
http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/international/features/0803/quinoa/incaorganics.shtml

Guide to Oils
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/harvesting-palm-oil-and-rainforests/
http://www.theecologist.org/investigations/food_and_farming/269479/drizzle_with_care.html

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