By Jenny Stamos Kovacs

Grocery shopping can be an absolute nightmare: too many people, too many choices, too little time. But you don’t have to buy unhealthy food just because it’s easy. In fact, some healthy choices can be just as simple to make. Simplify your shopping by checking out our list of the top 10 foods to skip and the top 10 to toss into your cart. Your body—and your overworked mind—will thank you.

THE BEST

10. EGGOLOGY EGG WHITES

Recommended Intake: 1⁄2 cup, 60 calories, 0 g fat, 13 g protein

Eggs are a great source of protein. Eggology Egg Whites are a great alternative, and they’re fat free. They’ve been tested for dangerous salmonella, Listeria and E. coli. “This is a superb ingredient list—simply 100 percent pure, fresh egg whites,” says Susan Moores, a registered dietitian and nutrition expert in St. Paul, Minnesota. “It’s not that often that you see such a simple list. And the protein content can’t be beat. Pick up Eggology egg whites and they’ll last for up to four months without stabilizers and preservatives.”

THE WORST

10. GLACEAU VITAMINWATER

Recommended Intake: 1 bottle (20 oz), 130 calories, 33 g sugar

Meeting your daily water quota isn’t easy, nor is getting all the vitamins you need, which makes Glaceau VitaminWater sound like the perfect drink. Too bad just one bottle contains nearly as many calories and sugar as a can of Coke. “Flavored waters are a way to inject some interest into drinking all the fluids our bodies need,” says Moores. “But many contain way too much added sugar.” (This particular product boasts the equivalent of eight teaspoons of sugar.) “And don’t count on this so-called vitamin water to meet your nutrient needs,” she says. “You can easily obtain these vitamins with a serving of cereal, a bean salad or a piece of fruit.” Drinking water is something you should already be doing.

Do you want to read the complete article? Then pick up the September/ October issue of Maximum Fitness magazine — available August 26, 2008!