No matter how well off we are, most of us want to conserve
our resources, yet prepare and eat nourishing, delicious food. To save time,
money, and increase the nutrient content of the foods we eat, consider my food
selection tips. They work well for me and can help you transform yourself into a
savvy food shopper supreme.
Food Shop at the Right Time, Place,
and Pace for You
♥
Pick a time and place where you can shop in an orderly, unrushed manner. This sets
a calm tone to your experience and helps you resist impulse buying.
♥
Read every label including those on bagged fruits and veggies. Manufacturers can
change ingredients so pay attention. Take note of the fresh date, and don't purchase anything that isn't at the peak of freshness. Beware of products that contain additives,
preservatives, or any food stuff like nuts, milk, or gluten that might cause an
allergic reaction for someone in your family. An informed shopper is a smart shopper. See
this from Dr. Mercola,
“Top 10 Food Additives and Why It’s Important to Avoid Them.”
♥
Organic products have not been sprayed or injected with pesticides or other
unsafe chemicals. That’s why I buy them whenever they are available. See this for more.
#SayNo2GMO
♥ When you spot foods that are laden with fat, salt,
sugar, or ones with names you can’t pronounce, it’s a safe bet those are
products to avoid. If unhealthy foods are not brought into your home, there’s
little chance you or your house mates will be eating junk.
♥
Make sure you’re not hungry, lonely, angry, or tired when you need to food
shop. Eat, rest, call a friend, or scream and vent before you set off to the store. To help you resist those extra things you’re tempted to grab, use a small
basket rather than large shopping cart. This limits shopping space and curbs an
inclination to purchase foods with empty calories or frills.
Here’s more on a related topic. “How to Maintain Good Health this Holiday Season.”
♥
Shop the perimeter of you supermarket first. That’s where unprocessed, whole
foods are likely to be found. Select dried or canned beans, legumes, and fresh leafy
greens for protein. They are much more economical than ready-made foods. Whole grain foods like organic steel cut oats, organic barley, and organic rye flakes contain more nutrients than highly processed boxed cereals and taste just as good if not better.
 |
| Organic Pearled Barley, Organic Banana, and Organic Ceylon Cinnamon |
♥
Spend at least 70% of your food shopping time in the produce department. Look
for the freshest, best looking fruits and veggies you can find. If you don't see products you like on the shelves, ask the produce manager to get them for you from the back. Make sure your meal
plan includes at least 5-7 portions of fruit and veggies per day.
♥
If your schedule is jam-packed, get precut or frozen veggies and fruit (ones that don't contain sauces or added sugar). The
extra few cents you spend on convenience will help you in the long run to stay
on a health promoting track.
Shop Smart, Save Big, Eat Healthy! You and your body deserve
TLC (Tender Loving Care). Set the intention to follow through. Please let me
know how you manage your food shopping routine.
Do you delegate responsibility
for food shopping or prep to someone in your household or share it?
Any tips for my readers
and me? Please leave comments and have a fabulous day.
