The process of Healthy eating starts IN THE GROCERY STORE.
Monday is grocery shopping day.
I am not the biggest fan of grocery shopping - because of 2 reasons.
#1. It always takes way longer than it should - I swear I walk around there for at least an hour!
(( and let me tell you a 2 year old can make for 1 unforgettable hour HA ))
and #2. I am always forgetting an ingredient...
( which is why I should probably learn to actually TAKE my grocery list that I made to the grocery store instead of leaving it home on the counter :/ )
That all being said,
there is a healthy way to do grocery shopping and a way that will keep the calories to a minimum so you aren't too angry with yourself at the end of the week :)
I have a few tips and tricks to make that happen.
#1. PLAN YOUR MEALS
I usually try to make a menu for the upcoming week Sunday night so I can make my grocery list.
This will help eliminate the "frozen pizza dinners" and / or "fast food" option that so many people resort to on a nightly basis.
For us, one day of the week is usually "left overs" or Eggs ( We keep it classy! HA ) and Friday night is date night and / or pizza night.
So basically I have 3 main MEALS to plan for.
#2. YOU WILL EAT WHAT YOU BUY
and you are what you eat..
Let's be real here, if I am buying 5 bags of chips... chances are I will eat 5 bags of chips!
If I'm buying excessive cake mixes, I am bound to be making cake for the next week straight.
I will snack on what is laying around in my pantry.
If you don't want to be snacking on it.... SIMPLE- don't buy it.
I have a really really REALLY hard time wasting food.
Maybe it was just because we kept to a food budget for a little while through law school and I couldn't stand to have something go bad in the fridge!
So if I buy a fridge full of fruit and veggies, I will snack on all things fruit and veggies.
My favorite is buying the HUGE package of spinach from Costco or Sams.
HA I find ways to stick spinach into EVERYTHING just so it doesn't go bad on us.
( that is a lot of spinach for the week for just 2 of us )
Brown Rice, Eggs, Smoothies, Soup, Cooked Veggies I just throw it in with everything...
My husband thinks I go a little overboard with the spinach -
BUT GOSH IT IS SOOO GOOD FOR YOU!
My point being, if you are buying fresh foods, rather than chips and crackers,
you will snack on the fresh foods.
Don't buy something if you don't want yourself eating it.
#3. OUT OF THE BOX
I think people's biggest downfall when it comes to grocery shopping is buying everything in a box or a bag.
If it's in a box or a bag - it is (generally) PROCESSED food.
There is no way around the fact.
Limit your "box buying" ( AKA cookies, crackers, chips, cereal, granola bars (( as healthy as they may "seem" )) frozen meals, ETC. )
Focus on the produce and COLOR FOODS.
Which brings me to my next point....
90% of your shopping cart should look like a colorful rainbow.
These are some foods that are always found in my shopping cart...
**Berries - one of the best things you can eat.
I have to have some type of berry every single day.
It will keep you regular and they are GREAT stomach flattening foods.
** Bananas - Although I'm not a fan of them plain,
I try and stick them in my smoothies to get the nutrients - SO GOOD for you.
** Spinach and Lettuce - I say them both because I ALWAYS buy both.
I have found that spinach doesn't have much of a taste - So, like I said earlier, I end up sticking it in everything.
Aaron jokes that I can always find a place for spinach in a meal.
** Avocados - MY FAV!!
I LOVE avocados. Aaron is the guac master and we love anything that has to do with that green stuff!
Although avocados are a fat - they are a healthy fat!
I try and stay away from dressings on sandwiches and salads and use avocados as a replacement.
** Apples - An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
I'm a believer!
No but really, I love apples, one of my favorite snacks!
** Veggies - I usually buy baby carrots and celery each week.
I know I am a health nut, but I have to be honest and say that besides lettuce and spinach, I have a hard time with veggies!
( Especially veggies raw - I like them better cooked! )
That being said, I still try and make buying veggies a priority because if I have them in my fridge, I will eat them.
REMEMBER this :
THE DARKER THE COLOR THE MORE NUTRIENT THE FOOD
( Don't be thinking a little head of white iceberg lettuce is doing the trick of your veggie fill for the day )
P.S. Yes, I am totally that mom that wakes her child up and takes him to the grocery store in his PJ's. ^
#5. EVALUATE YOURSELF
Check your shopping cart at check out.
Do "I" see the colors of the rainbow?
( And no that does not mean buy a fruit loop box and call it good ;)
How many "BOXES" of processed foods did I buy?
Is there a food in there that I will be mad at myself for eating after I eat it?
( Don't buy the Twinkie, it's not worth it! )
Did I stoop to the level of buying the frozen casserole lasagna dish??
( Don't do it! - SO bad for you!!!! )
Is my cart 90% colorful and fresh!?
P.S. Do not read this and think I deprive my husband and child of fun treats!
Of course I buy a box of fruit-loops, a bag of goldfish, tortilla chips and the occasional Dreyer's Ice Cream.
The point being
90% of my grocery cart is colorful and fresh.
Make that your goal because THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.
Happy HEALTHY grocery shopping and remember your lists..
My husband is convinced I will be 80 years old and finally remember to grab my list ;) XO
