When you walk into a grocery store, where do you go first?
Grocery shopping sets the tone for the meals you will cook, the snacks you will enjoy, the beverages you’ll drink.
Typically, you want to go from the outside, in. Most grocery stores have the produce and dairy sections in the outer layers of the store with the snacks and condiments (things we should be eating less of) in the middle. So follow that model, work from the outside in.
Go to the produce section first
About 50% of your time in the store should be spent in this area. Stock up on fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and nuts (these are usually in the same general area or somewhere on the outside of the store J). For the most part, you can’t go wrong in the section. With that said, if you are following a specific diet like paleo or keto, you want to avoid the starch-related options (potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.)
My typical items from this section: (vary by season)
- Baby kale
- Baby spinach
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Sweet potato
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Lemons
- Beets
Staying in the outside layer, head over to the eggs/dairy items (if you consume dairy). About 30% of your time in the store should be spent here. Read the ingredients here! This is where you really want to take the organic, non-hormone option. If you do almond milk, check those ingredients, watch for added sugars. Rule of thumb is: if you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.
My typical items from this section:
- Califia Farms unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- Eggs
- Goats milk yogurt (for my fiancé, I do not consume dairy)
Finally go to the snacks, condiments, misc aisles. Try to limit this to 20% of your time in this section, with that time being check the labels. Sticking to the same rule of thumb, if you can’t pronounce it, try to stay away from it.
Typical items from this section:
- Plantain chips
- Olives with garlic
- Primal Kitchen ketchup
- Primal Kitchen dairy-free mayo (garlic or chipotle)
- Chomps beef sticks
Take these steps to set yourself up for success!
