How To Grocery Shop In A Healthy Way

The grocery store can be an intimidating place. With the amount of choices set before you, it can be difficult to determine which will be most beneficial to you. If you are on a path for a healthier lifestyle, here are some tips to help you shop the healthy way in a grocery store.
 
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is the key to success in the grocery store. Set a meal plan/ menu for the week and determine everything that you need to make your meals. Going into a place as daunting as a grocery store with a plan will help you to avoid temptations, stick to a budget, and not buy repeated items.
 
Shop The Perimeter
Sticking to this rule is the easiest way to ensure that what goes into your shopping cart is a healthy choice. The perimeter houses the main food groups that you should be shopping from dairy, grain, meat, and, most importantly, produce. Sticking to these foods will ensure that you create healthy meals.
 
Be Selective In The Aisles
Know what you need in the center of the grocery store, the aisles, and do not allow yourself to be distracted. Aisles do hold some items that are essential in any kitchen and are therefore not completely avoidable. When shopping in the aisles, pick up only the essentials such as: rice, legumes and grains, pasta, oils, spices, nut butters, etc. If possible, shop for these things in the organic/ natural food aisle.
 
Make Healthy Switches
When shopping at the grocery store it can be easy to just turn your attention to common things that everyone buys. If you are trying to improve or maintain your health, it may be better to avoid certain common items. Try making healthy decisions to switch to gluten-free and non-dairy foods to do this.
 
Making better choices for your health can be as simple as changing your method of grocery shopping by following these helpful tips. If you’re looking for more ways to improve your health, visiting a naturopathic doctor might be right for you. Call Dr. Cecilia Ho, Naturopathic Doctor in Pickering, today at 905.492.8688 for more information about how our various different health programs can help you!