I’ll be the first to admit that it can become rather difficult to not leave Fresh Market without a box of cookies or a bag of Dorritos. My inner-cravings tend to get the best of me even after I tell myself to look-away from the “sweets” aisle. But, I have recently strategically planned ways to avoid purchasing the not-so healthy foods at the grocery store.
For one, make a grocery list before your excursion out to the grocery store. This way, you can make yourself abide to the list and therefore, stray from thoughtlessly grabbing junk food on the shelves. Also, the items on your grocery list are usually the necessary foods that you have run out of in your kitchen (i.e. milk, eggs, bread, butter etc.), not the fatty, high blood pressure induced foods you become urged to by once you arrive to the grocery store.
I also find it beneficial to only grocery shop with a full stomach. I think we can all admit that shopping with an empty stomach is a clear indicator some unhealthy food will be purchased. I mean really, when I’m starving and grocery shopping I end up purchasing one too many toaster strudels and cookie dough packages.
Another good idea to grocery shop healthily is head to the store with a friend who eats healthy. For example, I have a roommate who eats nothing but fruits, veggies, hummus you name it. I would be way too embarrassed to be grabbing the Pringles and cheese popcorn while she’s grabbing the shredded lettuce and baby carrots; it makes me purchase healthy foods as well.
I think it’s easy to shop healthily when you can think of alternative, healthy choices that are similar in taste to junk food. For example, say you love rice. Great, that’s awesome; just purchase whole grain rice over white rice. Or say you enjoy Chef Boyarde Ravioli (like me); instead purchase tortellini noodles. They’re just as good and healthy too! It is simple alternatives like those that will transform you into a healthy grocery shopper.
Finally, a recommendation I cannot stress enough is this: don’t purchase a healthy food item if you are not going to eat it. I can’t tell you how many times I have purchased hummus thinking I’ll like it, and then end up throwing it out after it reached its expiration date. There are a variety of healthy food choices to choose from, so any one can find items that they enjoy.
With summer approaching, try your hardest to grocery shop healthily…you’ll be thanking me come July when you’re at the beach and all the boys are crawling “to da yard”.