With the vast varieties of foods available at the grocery store, it is understandable why shopping can be a daunting activity for many. However, here are some convenient tips for those who are looking to shop health smart. 
• Make a list
Before heading out to the store, make a shopping list. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed at the mega-mart. The act of making a shopping list can save you a lot of time at the store; you can head straight to the foods you need instead of wandering up and down the aisles aimlessly. Finally, making a good shopping list will keep you from making multiple trips to the store. This is because when you shop with a list you are less likely to forget an item at the store if you have written it down.
• Shop the perimeter
Shopping in the perimeter is the best way to shop for healthy unprocessed foods. This outer area is usually where you are going to find the fresh produce, dairy, non-processed meats and seafood. As a healthy shopper you should spend most of your time here. More often than not the store’s center aisles are inundated with pre-packed highly processed foods. But shoppers beware there are still many processed foods lurking in the store’s perimeter. Processed foods are calorie laden, and packed with a wide variety of chemicals to keep them on the shelf longer. These foods are easy recognized just by reading labels or asking questions about the foods you are unsure of. Another quick tip is to avoid any products marketed to children; these foods are usually filled with unwanted ingredients and are high in processed sugars.
• Shop for colors of the rainbow
A good tip for healthy shopping is to shop for the colors of the rainbow. Fruits and vegetables are found in a wide variety of colors and for good reason; nature has given us a simple color coded guide for healthy eating. The different colors are good for different things. For example oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are all high in vitamin C, they are also part of the same color group. Whereas green foods like spinach, broccoli, and lima beans are high in iron, and guess what they are all green. Each color group has beneficial vitamins and they do different things to keep you healthy. It is important to mix it up the more colors you eat the better balanced your nutrition will be.
• 100% Whole
When shopping for products containing grains it is important to look at the ingredient list. Is the first ingredient is a 100% whole grain? If it is that is a pretty good sign that the product is a good choice. Often enough the product’s title will say whole grain, but the first ingredient is an enriched whole grain, which has been processed and lacking many of its key nutrients.
• Take your time and do some reading
After the above this next tip will sound like common sense, take your time and be ready to read. When shopping for items, it is important to read all the nutritional information and the ingredient lists on the products. This will provide you with a better understanding of what you are really buying. Product labels are sneaky buying a “whole grain” children’s cereal could also mean you are buying up to 150 grams of sugar. You cannot simply rely on what the product’s main label is saying you have to read the fine print to know what you are really buying and putting in your diet.
• Avoid hunger
Never shop on an empty stomach. When you shop on an empty stomach it is easy to find yourself at the mercy of the store’s marketing ploys. The fresh smells of the bakery, quick foods from the deli, and the inviting vibrant packaging can be overwhelming when you are hungry. These temptations often lead to unnecessary purchases or impulse buying. When you shop on a full stomach these temptations are not as effective at getting you to buy things you do not want as a healthy shopper.
Sure, shopping may be one more daunting task on your to-do-list but it can also be fun and exciting. Being prepared with a few tools and being aware of what you will see when stepping in to the store can easily reduce any stress you may have. Just remember to take your time and have fun when you are at the store.
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