Grocery stores can be a tricky place. They are full of enticing food and marketing galore. They are also designed to influence your choices.
To lower your food bill and ramp up your nutrition, here are 5 Tips for Grocery Shopping Like a Health Pro:
1. Go in armed with a plan. If you’re wandering through the aisles, you’ll end up buying a lot of stuff that you don’t need, and a much larger ticket. Sticking to your list can help you fend off temptation and impulse buys.
2. Pick fruits and vegetables in different colors. Eating a diet full of colorful fruits and veggies reduces your risk of chronic diseases and ensures you’re getting a variety of nutrients. Aim for a mix of fresh, in-season produce, along with frozen fruits and vegetables.
3. Select middle isle foods wisely. Processed foods tend to lurk in the middle aisles of the grocery store, so beware. If it is five or six syllables long and you can’t really pronounce it, chances are it’s got a lot of stuff in there that you don’t really need. If you’re shopping in the middle aisles, aim to choose items with five or fewer ingredients to reduce the number of processed items.
4. Stick with 100-percent whole grain carbs. Whole grains lower your risk of heart disease, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes, as compared to refined grains, such as white flour. Not all whole grains are created equal. Some whole grain products have higher amounts of sugar than you’d imagine. Be sure to check the label and make sure sugar comes up as ingredient number three or four (or later).
5. Buy water, tea or coffee only. They’re the healthiest ways to hydrate. Steer clear of soda (including the diet version), which are directly linked to weight gain and diabetes. The artificial sweeteners in diet drinks actually stoke cravings for sugar and mess with your metabolism. If you need a little flavor in your water try adding a drop of lemon essential oil for a refreshing kick.
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