Healthy Grocery Shopping Tips

Healthy eating starts with healthy grocery shopping. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be

to plan, cook and eat healthful meals & snacks throughout the week.

The number one rule is to have a shopping list. Never walk into a store without knowing exactly what you need to purchase. A great way to be efficient with your shopping list is to have a magnetic note pad on your refrigerator. Throughout the week, when you notice a staple is running low, jot it on the list.

If you go to several different grocery stores, divide your notepad into columns, with each column labeled with the store at top.  As you write down each item, simply place it in the correct column.

Before heading out to the store, be sure to plan your weekly menu.  Decide what you'll be eating for breakfast, snacks, lunch & dinner each day. Then look up recipes if necessary and add all ingredients that you don't already have on hand to your grocery list.

With your list in hand, you're ready to head to the market.  Here are some additional tips to help keep your shopping healthy & efficient:

• Get to know the layout of your store.  Knowing which items you'll find in each aisle will prevent you from having to back track or zig-zag throughout the store as you check items off your list.
• Have a meal, or at least a healthy snack, before shopping to help you make wise decisions.
• Read labels, ingredient lists & nutrition information carefully in order to choose the healthiest options. (For lots of great tips on food labels, be sure to attend one of Narina's Grocery Store Nutrition Seminars.)
• Pass up displays at checkstands. They are usually set up to encourage impulse buying.
• Use discount coupons ONLY for items you would normally buy.  Purchasing a product just because you have a coupon, will usually result in your spending more, not less, money.

Every other month, our Nutritionist Narina leads an extremlely informative Grocery Store Nutrition Seminar.  If you have not participated in the seminar yet, we highly recommend that you sign up for the next one.