It's nearly impossible to adopt a healthy, low-calorie method of eating if your pantry is stocked with the wrong types of foods. That's why smart, healthy grocery shopping habits are the first line of defense against weight gain and your greatest ally in the battle of the bulge. You have complete control over the foods you bring into your home, so it's vital that you learn to choose the healthiest foods to feed you and your family for healthier habits and even weight loss.
Step 1
Plan healthy meals, and write a shopping list to match the necessary ingredients. Some of the poorest shopping habits come from heading to the store without a clear plan in mind. There, you're tempted by highly processed and unhealthy foods. When you have a menu in mind and know exactly what you need before you enter the store, you save time, money and calories by sticking to a healthy list.
Step 2
Eat a small and healthy snack before heading to the grocery store. A snack made up of filling fiber and quick-energy complex carbohydrates helps give you a steely resolve against tempting fatty foods since you're less hungry. A cheese stick and whole-wheat crackers, vegetables and hummus or a piece of fruit eaten before your trip ensures that you aren't seduced by the less-healthy food you crave.
Step 3
Shop around the perimeter of the store, where you'll find the freshest staples. Grocery stores are in the business of making money, which is why you often find the healthiest food staples the farthest apart. This requires you to walk through the aisles of pricey processed food choices. When you stick to the produce, meat, dairy and grain cases, you're bound to bring healthier foods home.
Step 4
Purchase food in season. This nets you not only the best prices on your food but also the most nutritious. Fresh in-season produce is naturally low in calories, yet high in nutrition, which is ideal for a weight-loss diet. Look for the freshest foods by looking for a bright color, a lack of preservatives and the best prices.
Step 5
Learn to read nutrition labels to help you learn more about the foods you eat and give to your family. Although some food choices look appealing and healthy, a glance at the nutrition information often tells you that they have more sugar, fat and calories than you'd originally thought. If you're buying packaged food, read the label thoroughly before adding the food to your cart, taking note of the serving size, the fat content, the calories, and the sugar and sodium contents.
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