Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Essene Lewis shows off some of her groceries bought for herself and her husband, Las Lewis. - Photo by Shelly-Ann Thompson

This week Food concludes its feature - Shopping Right For Your Family. Essene and Lascelles Lewis

Both senior citizens, Mr. Lewis, 75, and Mrs. Lewis, 70, eat to suit their lifestyle.

Like in many households, Mrs. Lewis, as wife, does the grocery shopping. "I ensure that I keep a good stock of goods. Each Friday I'll look within my cupboards and see which groceries I need."

Mrs. Lewis is also aware that as seniors their edibles must mirror their lifestyle. "I am health-conscious, eating a lot of fruits and both steamed and raw vegetables."

Here is the Lewises' monthly grocery list.

Fruits	Ripe bananas
Papaya	Melon
Grapes	Cantaloupe melon
Honey dew melon
Mangoes (in season)
Pineapple (in season)
Vegetables Lettuce	Tomato
Sweet pepper	Carrot
Cabbage	Callaloo
Corn	Pak Choy
Frozen mixed vegetables
Cereals Oats	High-fibre cereal
Brown sugar	Splenda
Wholewheat bread/natural bran Juices Cranberry	Cherry
June plum	Orange
Apple	Coconut water
Canned Foods Baked beans Gungo peas Low-fat condensed milk Evaporated milk Coffee creamer Soy milk (mixed flavours) Vienna sausages Eggs Ground Provision & Carbohydrates Pumpkin	Yam
Potato	Plantain
Banana	Dasheen
Brown rice	Pasta
Meat Fish (fresh and frozen)
Salmon (fresh as well as canned)
Chicken	Goat meat
Mutton	Pork
Canned tuna	Canned sardines
Seasonings Garlic	Scallion
Thyme	Scotch bonnet
	pepper
Miscellaneous Vegetable/olive oil (no cholesterol)
Margarine	Cheese
Low-fat yoghurt
Hot Beverage Green tea	Herbal tea
Milo	Chocolate
Coffee (decaffinated)

Dr. Heather Little-White, food and nutrition consultant:

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis appear to be in good health - no indication of diabetes, hypertension or arthritis, common among older citizens. The choice of foods definitely contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The lavish consumption of fruits and vegetables is commendable. The inclusion of high-fibre cereals is good for elimination and oats will help keep cholesterol in check. The variety of foods selected should provide the range of recommended daily intake of nutrients to keep the couple healthy.

It appears that Mrs. Lewis has been accustomed to eating well and keeping her household well-supplied with food. However, to conserve on finances, they could buy less each week and spread the variety of foods over a month. This does not include fruits and vegetables. While they may be healthy, they have to take care not to eat too much which could lead to increase in weight and subsequently the common lifestyle diseases that most people dread during ageing. Small portions at one setting are recommended for seniors.

For ease of preparation of meals, I hope that Mrs. Lewis is buying prepared cuts of meats and the leaner cuts that are easier to prepare to reduce the time spent in meal preparation. The use of fresh seasonings will provide added health benefits to perk up their lives.

As seniors, the Lewises should be commended for healthy food choices. I trust that they are balancing their meal consumption with exercise, rest and recreation, which are all necessary for a longer life.