Grocery Shop Like a Pro!

As if there aren’t already enough unhealthy places to tempt us, grocery stores also do their part in steering us away from healthy choices.

Here are five tips to help you stick to clean eating while shopping at the super market.

1. Make a list. Shopping without a list will cause you to walk up and down the aisles, which means you’ll end up buying more than you intended to. You’re also more likely to forget items that you need. Buying things that look attractive to you are most likely unhealthy items.
2. Don’t shop hungry. If you shop while you’re hungry, you’re more likely to fill up your cart with unhealthy and unnecessary items.
3. Look low and high. Unhealthy name brand foods are stocked in the middle of shelves so they will catch children’s eyes and their parents will buy it. For healthier and cheaper foods, look all the way at the bottom and top.
4. Stick to the perimeter. All the fresh items, such as produce, meat, and dairy, are located around the perimeter of grocery stores. Shopping around the outside of the super market will help you make only health choices.
5. Buy healthiest foods first. By buying healthier foods first, it will take up time and room, leaving less time for you to look around the grocery store and less room in your cart for unhealthier items.

For more help, such as navigating the dining halls, visit Nutrition Education/Counseling at Health Services.