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The grocery store is where you can go to improve your eating habits by stocking up on healthy foods and avoiding items that could tempt you later. However, while you may have the best intentions, you could be making some mistakes in the grocery store that are actually working against the healthy lifestyle you hope to achieve. If you feel like you’re doing everything else right but continue to get tripped up at the grocery store, these are the biggest errors a health expert says you could be making during your weekly trip, and how to fix them.
Going To The Store Hungry
The first thing you should be thinking about before you embark on your grocery mission is your hunger levels. According to registered dietitian Dr. Lisa R. Young, going to the store with food on the brain is one of the best ways to ensure unnecessary and often unhealthy items will find their way into your cart. She warns, “You should try to have a snack before heading out. If you go food shopping when hungry, you may buy too much and make the wrong choices.”
Prepare yourself for a healthy shop with a solid carb or protein source to keep you full and clear headed before you enter the store. That way, you can get the things on your list and get out before you’re tempted by snacks that only look good because you’re hungry.
Last Minute Grabs
The grocery store is set up the way it is for a reason. While the staple items and bigger purchases line the aisles, the cash register houses candy bars and other unhealthy treats that are easy to grab while your wallet is already out. Young notes, “While waiting on line, you may be tempted to buy the candy bar. Leave it! Don’t even look at the food when checking out as it tends to be unhealthy! Glance at the magazines instead.” Remember, everything about that placement is tactical and intended to make you feel more inclined to purchase something you don’t need. Now that you’re aware, it’ll be easier to ignore the marketing technique.
Sneaky Center Aisles
Young notes that in a typical grocery store, fresh foods are often around the perimeter with the more processed foods found in the center aisles. A healthy diet calls for whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and produce, so spending too much of your time in the center of the store may make you more apt to throw processed items into your cart that you didn’t really need. Just like your body, fill up your cart with healthier foods and your diet will benefit without the temptation of chips and other snacks in the house.
Healthy eating for weight loss is dependent on the food you keep in your kitchen, and the best way to set yourself up for success is by making good choices at the grocery store. It may seem harmless to grab a few extra treats that catch your eye among the aisles, but once they’re in your home it will be that much harder to opt for the healthier choice. Your success will be reflected in the changes you make and the good habits you enforce, so start at the grocery store and the results will follow.
