Tips for the Grocery Store

Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping when trying to create a healthy change can be daunting. Stores are designed to entice you to buy more and when you’re working on changing your bad habits, you’ll notice the grocery store is out there dangling those foods that will knock you off track like a bunny at a horse race! But don’t be discouraged, we’ve got the tips to navigate you through the grocery store while keeping your eyes on the prize, your success.

1. Have a plan in place.
   If you need enough food for the week, breakfast, lunch and dinner, then plan your meals ahead of time so you know exactly what you need for that week and how much you need of it. Meal prepping will help you succeed in your weight loss journey, but it also saves you time and money at the grocery store. With all of the grocery store apps you can make your list on your phone or if you’re extremely busy you can create the list and pick it up or have it delivered.
   
   
2. Don’t go hungry!
   Probably one of the most important and underrated tips for going to the store, don’t go hungry. This tip has been around since the beginning of grocery store time, yet how many times have you found yourself mindlessly walking out the door to run your errands thinking it won’t take you long and when you come home unload bags of food you know you don’t need, the chips, the chocolate, the pre-made, packaged, processed meals that have no nutritional value. This is why having a plan in place is a good first step. You shouldn’t just plan what you’re going to buy, but when, like after you’ve eaten a nutritious breakfast and are ready to start your day.
   
   
3. Head in the right direction
   Spend most of your time in the outer parts of the store. The outside aisles are where you should be getting most of your shopping done. They’re usually the fresh produce, meat, fish, and dairy aisles. The inside aisles contain most of the processed packaged food that we should avoid.
   
   
4. Read the labels
   If you do end up in the middle aisles, make sure to check the labels. Some simple advice is if it has 5 or more ingredients or you can’t pronounce the ingredients skip it. Understanding what’s fuelling your body is just as important as fuelling it.
   
   
5. Variety is the spice of life.
   We tend to stick with what we know and continue to make the same meals day after day, week after week, but now is the best time to mix it up. Every fruit and vegetable has a season and buying the freshest and most in season produce is a great way to not only get the nutrients you need, but the best tasting and usually cheapest. The internet has so many purposes and one you can utilise time and time again is finding new recipes to add to your repertoire. When you’re making your lists introduce some new foods to your line up. If you’ve never used an artichoke find a recipe that works with your meal plan and challenge yourself to buy it and make it.

And really, it’s that simple! But as always, if you need a little bit more help talk to your trainer. They are more than happy to help when it comes to shopping right.