Grocery stores can make or break your diet and health plans if you don’t know how to shop. That’s right there is a correct way and an incorrect way to shop!
Stick to the Outsides of the Store
Photos courtesy: Ninja M., Chia Lynn and Cafe Mama on Flickr
If you give it some thought, the majority of all supermarkets are laid out with all the freshest foods on the outside of the store. Produce, dairy, meats, fish, even fresh breads sections are all on the outside edge of the store. This is where you would find foods that are freshest. This means packed with valuable nutrients and bound to give you the best bang for your buck. Think quality carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
The fresher you can eat the more nutrients you can get from your food. Higher amounts of good enzymes, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, plus you won’t take in as many additives, preservatives, insulin spiking sugars and sodium. Think of all the foods that are perishable (“gotta hurry up and eat it before it spoils”) and you’re on your way to making good choices at the grocery store.
Whats in the middle of the store?
Now think about what is in the middle of the store. Packaged cereals loaded with sugar, canned goods loaded with salt, chips, preserved cakes (Twinkie?), candy, and things that have a high shelf life. This is where the “processed” food tends to be which usually gives you less nutrients, vitamins, minerals (unless they artificially add them in) or are just plain empty calories (sodas, fruit juices) loaded with sugar.
The middle of the store isn’t all bad
You can get beans, legumes, rice and pasta there which are obviously dry and in the middle of the store. If you are in need of convenience, some canned veggies, meats, fish, etc are an option. Also the frozen foods section can be alright for frozen veggies and meats but by and large stick to the outside of the store if you can eat fresh.
Homework for the next time you go shopping
Next time you go shopping take a look at where you spend most of your time when you fill up your cart. Are you putting a lot of chips, cereals, sodas, juices, mac and cheese, crackers, etc in your cart? Or do you spend the bulk of your time loading up on veggies, lean meats, fish, nuts, whole grains, beans, fresh eggs and dairy?
I’ll bet if you add up the calories from all the “inside” store food and compare it with “outside” store foods you’ll see where all of your added calories are coming from.
Just a little “food” for thought.
