6 Tips For Making Healthier Choices on Your Next Grocery Shopping Trip

Whether your goals are weight loss, growing muscle mass, or simply eating healthy, it all starts with your trip to the grocery store. Diet can reflect up to 80% of your health and is very essential to a wholesome lifestyle. Instead of thinking of grocery shopping as a chore, think of it as an opportunity to take control of your diet choices and to create meals that are beneficial to your mind and body. Check out these eight amazing tips that can help you make healthy choices when shopping for groceries.

6 Tips for Making Healthy Choices While Grocery Shopping

1. Start with a list

Plan ahead with a list of items you need and actually stick to it when shopping. The last thing you want is to find yourself wandering around the store not knowing what to get. This can lead to grabbing unhealthy snacks and junk that can set your goals back. Start with what you need to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and staple items, too.

2. Don’t shop hungry

Choose to have a meal or snack before heading to the grocery store. When shopping on an empty stomach, you’ll be more inclined to buy food you’re craving– and they’re most likely cookies, chips, and other non-nutritious foods.

3. Shop the perimeter first

You’ll notice that all your essentials and healthy foods are located in the perimeter of the store. This includes your produce, poultry, dairy, and even grains. Spend the most time in these areas and save the center aisles for last.

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4. Read the nutrition labels

And don’t forget the ingredients, as well! Remember the fewer ingredients, the better. Going back to tip #3, foods in the perimeters are more wholesome foods which contain 1-3 ingredients. Be sure to give those nutrition labels a glance to help you invest in healthier foods for your diet.

5. Shop with a buddy

When in doubt, bring along a friend or family member that you can trust will help you make better decisions. This will make your shopping trip a lot more fun and successful!

6. Choose wholesome foods

Load your shopping cart with fresh, raw foods that are packed with nutrition. Unlike processed foods that’s filled with fats and sugars, “real foods” are essential to a healthy diet.

7. Buy healthy foods in bulk

If there are a few staple items on your list you’re constantly buying, choose to buy them in bulk. Not only are they always available for you throughout the week or month, but this can save you a few dollars and multiple grocery trips.

8. Buy local whenever possible

Take advantage of your local farmer’s market in your city or hometown. Buying from your local farmers not only supports their local business but you’re most likely buying high-quality, organic ingredients you can’t find anywhere else. Don’t forget to bring along a tote bag when shopping!