Finally made the decision to sort out your eating habits once and for all? You’ll need to fill your fridge with healthy foods then, but where to begin? Follow our six tips to successful grocery shopping and kickstart your weight management plan today!
Design your menu
What will you be eating over the coming week? If you don’t know in advance, you’re more likely to veer off your plan or grab convenience foods. Make yourself a menu for the week ahead of time so that you know exactly what you’ll be having for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and you’ll have an excellent foundation on which to build your wellness.
Make a list
Even if you’re not the world’s most organised person, a shopping list is the most valuable tool there is when it comes to healthy eating. Before you hit the shops, make sure you have every ingredient you’ll need for your menu jotted down. With your list in hand, you’ll be less likely to forget any vital items and less likely to steer down the chocolate aisle, too!
Eat up
Whatever you do, DON’T go grocery shopping hungry. Total rookie mistake. The hungrier you are, the more prone you’ll be to throwing anything and everything in your trolley, no matter how comprehensive your shopping list. Do yourself a favour and have a meal or a snack before you go – your waistline will thank you!
Get fresh
If you’re looking to pick up healthier eating habits, the best place to start is the fruit and vegetable aisle. The more fresh produce you can introduce into your diet, the better. Leave the processed food aisles alone and start buying more foods with an earlier expiry date. They may not last weeks in your fridge, but they’ll add years to your life.
Become a label detective
You may think you know which foods are healthy, but a quick label check could be revealing – and not always in a good way. Extra lean beef mince? A considerable dose of fat. Tinned tomatoes? More carbs than you’d think. Shop according to your plan and preferences, but always check the labels first to avoid any nasty, unhealthy surprises.
Go for variety
Drab plates with colourless food will have you reaching for the takeaway menu in no time. Keep your meals interesting by ensuring you shop for colourful, interesting foods with flavour and texture. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean boring eating– in fact, it can be hugely tasty and satisfying. Shop smart and start dishing up deliciousness at every meal.
Looking for new places to eat? Check out these 7 places to power lunch this week!
