Healthy Food Shopping, Because You Can’t Outrun a Poor Diet
Running through the beautiful gardens of Lakes Park, and spotted this beauty -> it's Queens Wreath! Photo courtesy of Charly Caldwell II.
It’s much easier to stick to a nutritious, healthy meal plan when you already have all the ingredients at home.
Mapping out a weekly meal plan and writing down what to buy before grocery shopping can eliminate impulse buys and poor food choices.
One of the first steps for anyone on a mission to achieve a healthier lifestyle is to learn how to food shop.
Running through the gardens of Lakes Park in Fort Myers, Florida, spotted this beauty in bloom -> it's Queens Wreath! Photo courtesy of Charly Caldwell II.
Stocking the pantry and fridge with wholesome, nutritious foods provides you with healthy options and provides more variety to mix and match meals and snacks throughout the week.
- Meal plan + grocery list. Make it a priority to write out your weekly meal plan before writing down your shopping list. Doing this will save time and money. Having a meal plan and a grocery list with ingredients needed for the week's meals & snacks will give you a clear guide of what to buy and will stop impulse purchases or browsing aisles aimlessly.
- Know your shopping aisles. In most grocery stores, the cheapest aisle is often the healthiest. This is where you’ll find canned goods such as beans and fruits along with dried nuts and seasonings which can all be great nutritious options to add with meals. Many experts also recommend spending most of your shopping time on the perimeter of the store. This is usually where the freshest foods are displayed such as fruits & vegetables. And, if you’re a sweet tooth, it’s a good idea to steer clear of the pastry or candy aisle. In this case, it’s out of sight out of mind and can help you resist buying the sugar-laden treats.
- Try a local farmer’s market for fresh produce. The local farmer’s market is usually where you’ll find the best quality, seasonal produce. If you can make a habit of visiting a farmer’s market for your vegetables or fruits, you’ll benefit from the best organic, wholesome foods.
- Buy in bulk. Stocking up on items like raw nuts and seeds is a good idea as they provide a quick & healthy snack for when you’re short on time. Things like organic flour, cacao and dried fruits can all be bought in bulk. These are perfect ingredients to make snacks such as raw protein balls.
- Have a routine. For the best results, schedule a day to do your meal prep and grocery shop and keep it consistent each week. By making it a routine to only grocery shop once a week, you can eliminate impulse buying, saving money and time.
Eating healthy is different for everyone, but if you’re looking to lose weight or make better diet choices, you should equip yourself with healthy food shopping tips to help optimize your grocery shop experience.
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