When Danielle Buonforte walks the aisles of ShopRite of Lincoln Park, she’s shaping habits, starting conversations, and helping families protect their hearts in the place where it matters most: the grocery store.
As the Registered Dietitian at ShopRite of Lincoln Park, NJ, Danielle believes Heart Health Month isn’t about perfection or restriction—it’s about small, realistic wins that add up over time.
“Most food decisions are made right here in the store,” she explains. “So this is the perfect place to help families make heart-healthy choices—right when they’re reaching for them.”
Why the Grocery Store Is the Heart of Heart Health
Danielle knows that once families get home, busy schedules take over. That’s why her approach focuses on meeting people where they are, offering guidance in real time—whether it’s swapping a high-sodium pantry staple for a better option or decoding a nutrition label on the spot.
“Heart-healthy eating doesn’t have to start in the kitchen,” she says. “It starts in the aisle.”
Hands-On Heart Health—For the Whole Community
This Heart Health Month, Danielle is bringing nutrition to life through several in-store initiatives designed to support both shoppers and staff:
An Employee Heart Health Challenge to encourage daily wellness habits
A Heart-Healthy Kids’ Snack Class, teaching families how to “love your heart” through fun, interactive food prep
Free one-on-one nutrition counseling for all ShopRite of Lincoln Park customers
A custom Low-Sodium Shopping Guide, created specifically for the Lincoln Park store, to make heart-smart choices easier in every aisle
“My goal is to remove stress from shopping,” Danielle says. “I want people to feel confident—not overwhelmed.”
The Questions She Hears Every Day
When parents and caregivers stop Danielle in the aisle, the questions are often the same:
What should I be looking for on this label?
How do I lower sodium without sacrificing flavor?
How can I cook heart-healthy meals when we’re always rushing?
Her answers always come back to simple swaps, not dramatic overhauls.
Smart Swaps That Make a Big Difference
Danielle loves showing families how small changes can protect heart health without giving up favorite foods:
Choosing air-popped popcorn or unsalted chickpeas instead of traditional chips
Swapping ground beef for 93% lean ground turkey—or using half lentils to cut saturated fat
Replacing jarred sauces with no-salt-added tomatoes and fresh herbs
Using plain non-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or mayo for creamy dips and spreads
“These swaps keep flavor and comfort while quietly supporting heart health,” she says.
Heart-Healthy Doesn’t Mean Fresh-Only
“No-salt-added canned beans and frozen vegetables are lifesavers,” she says. “They’re affordable, convenient, and just as nutritious.”
She also encourages families to use the ShopRite app to build lists ahead of time and sort items by dietary needs—reducing impulse stress and decision fatigue in the aisle.
Getting Kids Involved (and Excited)
For Danielle, heart health is a family affair—especially when kids are involved.
She suggests turning shopping into a game:
Give kids a color—like red for heart health—and challenge them to find a fruit or veggie in that hue. Letting kids choose (and help prep) their food increases the odds they’ll actually eat it at home.
“It becomes an adventure instead of a battle,” she says.
Progress, Not Perfection ❤️
If Danielle hopes families walk away with one message this Heart Health Month, it’s this:
“Heart-healthy eating is about progress—not perfection.”
One low-sodium swap.
One extra vegetable.
One informed choice at a time.
“Your heart doesn’t need you to be a gourmet chef,” Danielle says. “It just needs you to be a slightly more informed shopper. And I’m always here to help.”
Don’t forget to check out Danielle in action on LinkedIn or at your next ShopRite visit!
