Produce Shopping Guide

Do you get overwhelmed in the produce aisle because there are just too many options? With a few tips and a go-to guide, you’ll be a produce shopping master in no time! 

Tips:

• Choose organic as much as possible ~ refer to the Environmental Working Group's list of the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen 

• Eat fruits and vegetables that are in season ~ refer to this Seasonal Food Guide to find out what’s in season in your area 

• Eat a variety ~ alternate the fruits and vegetables that you buy every week 

• Eat the colors of the rainbow ~ red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple

Vegetables:

• Leafy greens ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Spinach, romaine, arugula, kale, mixed greens, butter lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, beet greens, dandelion greens, chard, endive 

  • Freeze spinach or kale for smoothies 

• Cruciferous vegetables ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Cauliflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli, romanesco, cabbage, bok choy

• Root vegetables ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, red potatoes, yellow potatoes, beets, carrots, radishes, fennel, parsnips, turnips, ginger, rutabaga, turmeric, daikon

• Alliums ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Red onions, white onions, yellow onions, garlic, chives, shallots, scallions, leeks

• Mushrooms ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Shiitake, crimini, white button, oyster, portobello, king trumpet, maitake, enoki, beech, chanterelle, porcino, hen of the woods, lion’s mane 

• Squash ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Zucchini, acorn, summer, butternut, delicata, kabocha, pumpkin, spaghetti

• Celery

• Bell Peppers ~ red, yellow, orange, green

• Herbs ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, parsley, dill, sage, cilantro, oregano, lemongrass 

Fruit:

• Berries (fresh) ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly when in season

  • Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, huckleberries, cranberries, mulberries, acai berries, kiwis

• Berries (frozen) ~ pick at least one from above list and freeze for smoothies 

• Bananas ~ freeze for smoothies 

• Pomes ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly when in season

  • Apples, pears, loquats 

• Citrus ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly

  • Oranges, blood oranges, mandarin oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit 

• Stone ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly when in season

  • Peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, apricots, mangoes, olives, coconut, dates

• Melon ~ pick at least one and rotate weekly when in season

  • Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber 

• Avocados 

If you prefer to grocery shop online like I do, I highly recommend Imperfect Foods. They deliver healthy, high-quality groceries that cost less and fight food waste. Feel free to use my referral link to receive $10 toward your order. Happy shopping!