I need to eat, and I want to eat healthy, so to the supermarket I go. I usually don’t have much time, so I try to make it an in and out trip. Sound like you? I knew it…which is why I’ve created grocery shopping tips specifically for you lady. Ain’t nobody got time to be wasting time, so learn how to be superwoman in the supermarket and use these tips:
#1 Come to win. Come prepared.
Newsflash: healthy food shopping starts before you leave the house. So do yourself a solid and make a list sis. There’s nothing worse than wandering around without a plan. Studies show that people who chose their choices by memory buy less healthy foods than those who make a list. Meal planning is your key to keeping things right and tight lady. Basically, if you know you are set to make lasagna, then chocolate chip cookies will never make it into your basket. Come prepared, and come to win.
#2 Fly Solo If You Want To
I know you want to leave your kids at home and have some me time, but you actually should invite your toddlers to the grocery store. The supermarket can be a classroom for your little tykes. Showing them how their favorite cereal has loads of sugar can lead to more health conscious citizens. So go to the spa tomorrow for that release and let your kids learn a thing or two.
#3 Don’t Strong Arm It…Grab A Cart
Unless you are trying to become a professional juggler in the circus, grab a cart honey! Flexing your arm to grab some grub often leads to some awful choices. So here’s the deal, if you must strong arm it, fill your basket up with healthy grub straight out the gate that way when your biceps clock out there wont be any room for junk.
#4 Produce Some Produce Already
If you know what’s good then you will beeline it to the the produce section. Hit the produce and vegetable section first no matter what you do. The more the colorful the better. Stash a variety of fruits and vegetables straight out the gate and you will be all set for a healthy week.
#5 Live On The Edge
The center of the supermarket should be avoided at all cost superwoman. Only junk and highly processed food lives there. Besides fruits and vegetables, the perimeter of the supermarket is where all of the most healthiest foods are kept. Think seafood, lean meats, eggs, whole-grain breads and dairy products.
#6 Read Indeed
Label reading is a must. Scanning is a scam so beware of looking for power words like “low-fat, gluten free, sugar free etc.” The food industry is fully aware of the power of these words, so make sure to read the entire label. Recent studies have shown that women who read labels weigh an average of 9 pounds less that those who didn’t. So quit playing around and use those literacy skills lady.
#7 Chill Out
The freezer section may be loaded with sodium, but not all chilled options are bad hun. Chill out and choose wisely. For instance frozen fruit and vegetables are great inexpensive options. They can actually be a better option than their fresh counterparts. People assume fresh is best, but know this, when fruit or vegetables are flash frozen their nutrient properties are all the way locked in. True story.
#8 Please Don’t Play Games With Me
If you leave this story with one point and one point only understand that the grocery store industry is an “industry.” Making money is their main priority and they undoubtedly have a way of making you spend yours. Major brands pay grocers for prime eye-level real estate on the shelves so for healthy options look up and low- not eye level. And no matter what, stick to your list.
Robbie Ann Darby (RAD Experience) is a professional FitGirl, Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer in NYC. Follow her sweaty life on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more fun health and fitness tips!
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