Navigating the Grocery Store

Do you struggle to navigate the grocery store when doing your weekly grocery haul? Perhaps, you end up buying way too many things or you don't purchase enough food for the upcoming week. Some of us feel a wave of anxiety anticipating the crowds, the long lines, extensive options, etc. And that's okay. The best thing we can do is figure out a better way to navigate the store to ease that anxiety and make the process a bit easier for us to go through. We all have our specific challenges when grocery shopping. The goal of this post is to help you navigate the grocery store a little more efficiently. Let's get into it!

Plan Ahead

Choose the day that you will be heading to the store. On the day before or morning of your grocery shopping spree, go through your refrigerator and pantry to see what you can create with what you have already. From there, determine what meals you can create and include whatever missing items on your grocery list. I can not stress this enough to clients: MAKE A LIST. I know it seems fun and exciting for some of us to just go to the store without any plan - I get it! However, heading to the store with no plan will present a list of other challenges that could have been avoided. So, make a plan to avoid those impulse buys.

Limit Impulse Buys

If you go to the store on an empty stomach, you are more likely to purchase unhealthy snacks and convenient foods. Am I the only one? There have been a few times where I end up buying Oreos, my favorite snack, while shopping so I can eat on it as I stroll through the aisles. Haha! I encourage you to stick to your list and avoid the most convenient foods unless they are on the healthier side.

Shop Whole Foods

Opt for whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains as they are minimally processed and more nutrient dense. Many processed foods are more calorie dense and often have added sugars. Consuming foods like this on a regular basis will derail you from reaching your health goals so choose whole foods more frequently.

Read Labels Carefully

Have you ever stopped to check the label on the back of your desired item? Next time you go to the store, read the label on the back carefully. You will be surprised to see the ingredients listed. Look for foods that are low in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. On the other side, make sure the ingredients include higher amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Stay on the Perimeter

Staying on the perimeter of the store when shopping is a great way to avoid highly processed foods. In most grocery stores, the perimeter is where you find fresh produce, lean proteins, dairy, whole grains, legumes, etc. These items include higher amounts of essential nutrients. All the yummy things that your body will thank you for!

Hopefully these tips will help you navigate your next grocery store run more efficiently. If you need more help with a customized meal plan, training plan, or nutrition coaching, click the button below and complete the form to sign up for your free consultation.

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