Grocery shopping on its own can be an overwhelming, unpleasant experience.
Then add trying to make the “right” choices, the healthiest versions of things, fresh or frozen, deciphering food labels, what am I going to eat this week…and it becomes a nightmare for many.
It doesn’t have to be a thing you hate.
In fact, you should treat it as something you do for your health, for your family’s health.
So, what can we do to make this trip a little simpler?
Have a Plan.
First things first: Sit down and make a list of some meals and snacks you would like to prepare for the week.
If you’re also a mid-week shopper, maybe only do this for a few days.
Then list out the ingredients you need.
Pro Tip: Make your list according to how you’ll travel the store. Chances are you shop at the same store weekly, so you know where things are. If your list flows with the way you enter and exit you’ll save time not back-tracking.
Aim for Quality.
Rule of thumb: Shop the Perimeter!
Start in the produce section which leads to fresh meats, poultry, seafoods, which runs into either breads and dairy products or the frozen veggie section.
Anything down the aisles in packages should be limited!
Sure, your coffees are down there, as are some whole grains like pastas and cereals, but get those and get gone.
These aisles are where the impulse buys of processed and prepackaged foods hide.
Fresh is best.
But also first fresh, then frozen, never canned.
Canned is sitting in preservatives, frozen typically goes from fresh to frozen, voilà!
Read the Labels.
Another good rule of thumb: The Fewer Ingredients the Better.
And if you can’t pronounce it?
That should be a flag as well.
The longer the list of ingredients a food has, usually indicates additives, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.
Peanut butter really only needs to have one ingredient, peanuts.
I bet you’ll be surprised if you take a look at yours!
Also, take note of your expiration dates.
Food should expire.
If it’s perishable it should expire quickly.
Don’t Waste.
Only buy what you need.
What if you make too much? Freeze the rest!
Portion it right away for the week, and you’re set!
In the end it’s all about putting the highest quality in, to get the highest quality of life out!
Don’t diet, eat. Eat real food!