BASIC TRAINING.

Byline: Jeanette Jenkins

Q: How do I transition from eating conventional foods to organic foods if I'm on a budget? What would be the most important food groups to switch first: dairy, fruits and vegetables or meat?

A: It is difficult to decipher which particular herbicide, pesticide, chemical or hormone found in conventional foods is going to have the most negative side effect. I suggest that you try to convert everything to organic, but shop in smaller quantities. Shop once a week and choose items that are on sale. Just buy the items you need for a week's meals.

If I had to choose one food group to switch to first, it would be dairy or meat because of the hormones injected into the cows and chickens. There is conflicting research about the side effects from consuming hormone injected meats and dairy products. These are the two food groups that I would not want to take a chance on. If I had a choice between hormone-free or hormone-injected meat and dairy products I would choose hormone-free (organic dairy products, organic chicken and organic beef).

HEALTHY LIVING TIP

Incorporate activity into your everyday life whenever possible:

Choose the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, walk in the airport instead of using the moving sidewalks, walk to the grocery store or gym, walk your children to school, go for a walk with a friend instead of going for dinner.

ABOUT THE TRAINER

Jeanette Jenkins, founder and president of the Hollywood Trainer fitness company, has a bachelor of science degree in human kinetics from the University of Ottawa. A 14-year industry veteran, she has worked with actors and professional athletes, including Queen Latifah, Taryn Manning and Terrell Owens.

Do you have a question for a personal trainer? Send your fitness and nutrition questions to jeanette.jenkins(at)dailynews.com and check here in coming weeks for the answers. For more information, visit www.thehollywoodtrainer.com.

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