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Grocery shopping can be a difficult task sometimes. You may have seen a lot of tips and tricks on the internet that tell you how to shop, whether by shopping in bulk or keeping an eye on the sale. These trips can save you some money, but what about your health?
No doubt, food is fuel for our body to operate daily functions. Just as we prefer good fuel for a car, it is very important to eat healthy foods for our body as well. But how can you get that healthy food from your grocery store?
It's not easy to buy a healthy grocery item, especially when unhealthy food lurks around the aisle. Yes, grocery stores are designed to just keep you there for as long as possible.
Finding some essential items for your meal? Well, those would be at the extreme end corner of the store, so you have to pass by a lot of tempting, unhealthy food just to get some eggs or fruits for your breakfast.
But don't worry; we won't let these store tricks come in the way of you and your fitness goals. By following simple steps, you can get healthier food, save time, and stick to your budget; all you need:
How to Grocery Shop
Decision Fatigue:
Decision fatigue suggests that our ability to make quality decisions diminishes with each choice we make. Basically, the more choices you make, the worse your decision making gets. Therefore, it's no surprise that small, impulse-buy items are strategically placed at the cash register.
Before Going to the Store:
It's important to be well-prepared before going to the store. Think of the meal that you need to make for the next week or two. Make a list of the ingredients you need. You can also add those ingredients in groups according to the department and aisle to save some time and stock efficiently.
Make sure you have added everything according to your nutritional goals. Keep your focus on that list and stick to it. It will save you both your time and money while giving you all the healthy ingredients you need.
Don’t go on Empty Stomach:
It may sound weird, but it works. Eating a little snack before going to a grocery store can help you avoid the temptation of unhealthy junk food around and also fill your cart with items you don't even need.
When you are hungry, you may want to buy all of that unhealthy fun food you see on the aisle. Which only ends up making you spend more than your budget. So, a good idea is to have a protein snack to stay energetic and feel full.
Visit in the Morning to Avoid Crowd:
Going grocery shopping after your 9-to-5 job could be a bad idea. You are tired and hungry, which means you will go for the first snack you came across at the store. You may also end up coming home exhausted with seven extra items in your cart that were not on your list.
Moreover, that's the time when the whole town is rushing toward the store, making you feel uncomfortable enough to forget some of your important items as you are frenzied and hurried.
So the best time for you to go is in the morning. You just wake up from a good nap, have all the energy, and have nothing on your brain. The aisles are all empty, so you can buy all the good things you need.
Go With Someone:
If you want to avoid decision fatigue and make better shopping decisions, try to shop with someone you can trust, someone with the same goals and choices as yours. Yes, even shopping with your close friend or partner can help you to stay away from making bad decisions.
Advice from a trustworthy friend is way better than a stranger there or a salesperson. Moreover, sometimes other people know a lot about the best deals, so go with them to get the best deals and save money and energy.
Exposure to Fun Foods:
It may sound a little challenging, but if you want to get your self-control over all the fun foods in the store, then start to expose yourself to those food items slowly and work out your discipline muscles. Avoiding your triggers all the time is not a good option; it may result in spooking your inner elephant.
So, next time when you are passing by the aisle of your favorite fun food, don't close your eyes. Just look at them and keep in mind that your goal is more important to you than these temptations. It may take some time, but soon, you will be able to recalibrate your motivation even with those unhealthy foods.
Final words
Just remember, grocery shopping does not have to be a burden. You can enjoy it just by using some simple techniques mentioned above. Just make a shopping list, stick to your goals, and keep yourself motivated. And you will be home with all the healthy things you wanted from that grocery store.
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