It’s said to be “the most wonderful time of the year!” ...Gathering with friends and family, taking
time to be thankful for all our blessings, and celebrating all the memories from this year while
looking forward to next year…
Though as we know, this time of year may not be holly jolly at every moment. It seems to be
things get tighter… our wallets as we shop for the perfect gifts, our time as work deadlines
approach, and maybe even our pants as we snag a few too many holiday cookies!
The last thing we want to do is spend extra money, time, and calories on our grocery store trips.
So here are 5 ways to make the most of your grocery shopping trips:
1. Make a list and check it twice. Santa does it - so should you. Before you even leave
the house, do some menu planning for the week to see what all you need to buy. Check
your fridge/freezer for leftovers to see if you can incorporate anything you already have.
Take inventory of your pantry to see if there is anything you need to restock.
2. Fuel your tank. Not just your car’s gas tank, don’t shop on an empty stomach; this may
lead to impulse buys and unhealthy food choices. Having a piece of fruit, handful of nuts,
or even just a glass of water before you leave the house will help keep your stomach at
bay to reduce cravings.
3. Savor the season(al). Shop seasonal produce when you can, since it is often on sale
and is at its peak nutritional quality. In December, look for cranberries (see LivRite’s
Produce of the Month blog!), winter squashes and brussels sprouts!
4. Consider convenience costs. Pre-cut produce or meal kits may certainly help you on a
busy weeknight, but it is also more expensive than if you prepared it yourself from
scratch. But if it helps you get in all your servings of fruits and vegetables, then it may be
worth it.
Also, store bought dressings, sauces, or ready-to-eat products are often higher
in calories, fat, and sodium than homemade. At home, you can control your own
ingredients and amounts you add to dishes.
5. Compare nutrition labels. I know they say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but
absolutely judge a product based on its nutrition label! When comparing two different
products or brands, check the serving size first so you can compare apples to apples
(pun intended). Pay attention to the calories, saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, and
added sugars. These nutrients should be limited.
Grocery shopping is one of the first steps to living a healthy lifestyle. Choose ingredients and
products based on nutrition and what will fuel your body best to achieve greatness.
For even more grocery shopping tips, check out LivRite's FREE nutrition seminars this month on Tuesday December 10th and December 17th at 6:00 PM at LivRite Fishers!
Topics: Nutrition
