Most of us have probably heard the saying “You can’t out train a bad diet.” Unfortunately it’s the truth. No matter how much you bust your butt in the gym, if you eat crap you won’t see results.
I’m not talking about eating poorly a couple times per week. I’m talking about eating terribly the entire week. You may sneak in a few salads, but for the most part it’s a lot of processed junk.
If you want to start eating better, you must put forth the effort. You have to go grocery shopping. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to put in your cart and leave on the shelf, but today’s post will help with that. I’m going to provide you with 6 simple tips to make your food shopping a successful experience. Here we go!
1) Do not shop when hungry.
I’m sure you are familiar with this one. I start with it because it is one of the most important. If you shop when you are hungry you will be more likely to make grab items you don’t need.
Photo Credit: http://www.bubblews.com/news/1068979-i039m-always-hungry
Ever go to the checkout line and grab a soda as you are placing your items on the counter because you were thirsty? The stores strategically place these convenience items here because you will be more likely to purchase them if they are right in front of you as opposed to you tracking them down.
So make sure when you shop, you have eaten recently. Not only will this help you accomplish your goals, but it will save you money.
2) Make a list
This tip could go in combination with the first. If you have a list of items you are going to buy, you will be less likely to deviate from it.
When you are deciding on what you will eat for the week, make a list of everything you need to cook it. This will make it easier so you don’t have to guess. This is a great time saver as well because you know what you need and where to find it. No more 2 hour trips!
3) Shop the perimeter
The perimeter of the store is where you will find most minimally processed, nutrient dense foods. You can get fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, nuts, etc. from this area. That makes it the best place to find the foods you need to help with your goals.
There will be some things that you may not be able to purchase like cooking oil, but for the most part the things you need will be on the perimeter. Again this makes for a great time saver, because you will not be going down each and every aisle.
4) Buy foods with as little ingredients as possible
There will be things that you have to purchase that are somewhat processed. That’s ok. When you buy these foods you want to make sure that they are not filled with a lot of harmful chemicals. This makes it important to check all of the labels of the food you buy.
The less ingredients you see the better. Also, look to see if you know what those ingredients are. If you have never heard of it then try to find an alternative with familiar ingredients. This is a simple way to ensure you are not consuming things that could hinder your progress.
5) Avoid foods with sugar very high in the ingredients label
The order of the ingredients is very important as well. They are always listed in a order of most used to least used. So the ones that you see first are the ones that the food is primarily made of.
If you see sugar or any form of sugar (high fructose corn syrup, brown rice syrup, cane sugar, corn syrup, dextrin, dextrose, malt syrup, rice syrup, etc.) near the top of the list just place it back on the shelf. These foods are most likely devoid of nutrients and will not help with your goals.
Processed, high carbohydrate foods are a big player in gaining body fat. It is best if you avoid these foods all together.
6) Look for sale items and in-season foods
Sometimes it can be expensive to buy meats, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. However, most grocery stores will place these items on sale each week. You will have to be on the lookout for them.
One thing I do if I find a really great deal on meat is buy a lot of it and freeze it. Although I may spend a little more money then, I save more in the long run.
Produce that is in-season will cost less than those out of season. Picking foods based on this will help add variety to your meals and allow you to obtain many different nutrients.
Wrapping Up
There you have it!
Six tips to get you in and out of the grocery store in record time without breaking the bank. This is a great starting point to get you on the path of better eating.
Nutrition truly plays the largest role in accomplishing your goals. Do not take it lightly. If you aren’t seeing results then this may be your answer.
Soon enough you will see progress if you embrace the change. You have to accept first that you need to change something. Food can be one the hardest things to alter, but you will reap the largest rewards. Take the time to do things right. It will be one of the best decisions you make.
If you are looking for a personal trainer in Savannah, contact me to set up a consultation.
And if you found any of this information helpful, or know of someone it could help please share with others!
