When starting on a diet, choosing what foods are healthy to eat, and which foods should be avoided can be frustrating and confusing. This is especially true in a grocery store. With so many aisles, brands and options, diet shopping can be overwhelming; However, by following a few rules, shopping for your diet can be easy and stress free.
Step 1
Shop the outside perimeter of the store first. Most grocery stores are set up in the same way. Canned and boxed goods tend to be located in the center aisles of the store, while the healthier and fresher options tend to outline the perimeter. The perimeter is where you will find the products you will want to make the bulk of your diet from. These include vegetables, fruits, whole wheat breads, lean fresh meats (not processed), seafood and dairy products.
Step 2
Check the nutrition facts. When picking up any item (outside of produce or other fresh products), the first thing you should do is look at the nutrition facts on the label. Nutrition facts display all of the most important information about a food in relation to your diet. Pay especially close attention to, and aim for low levels of calories, fat content (especially saturated fat), cholesterol and sodium.
Step 3
Verify the serving size. The marketing departments of many major and off-label food brands have become quite inventive about tricking you into buying their products. One popular way they do this is fooling you into thinking a product is healthier than it really is by manipulating the serving size. By dividing a package into two or more serving sizes, the company can list a fraction of the actual calories and fat content. This may influence you to buy the product, and can fool you into eating multiple servings, instead of just the one you thought you were consuming.
Step 4
Consider going organic. Although the word "organic" does not guarantee "healthy", those who manufacture organic foods tend to have a more health centered mind set. This can result in foods with less preservatives and processed sugars, and in many cases, less calories over other non-organic brands. Unfortunately, buying organic can cost substantially more money.
Step 5
Stick to your list. If you have problems with impulse buying, make a list. Not only make a list but tell yourself before you even enter the store that you will not buy anything except for what is on that list. One place where many dieters struggle is listening to their stomach in the grocery store, leading to impulse buys. Unfortunately, most impulse buys tend to be foods that are not necessarily part of your diet plan, such as snacks or candy.
Step 6
Eat a meal before you shop. Another way to protect yourself from impulse buys when shopping for your diet is to eat a healthy meal before you hit the grocery store. Shopping on an empty stomach allows your appetite and feelings of hunger to do the shopping for you, not your mind. If you enter a store with a full stomach, you will be less likely to buy unhealthy options that are not on your grocery list.
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