The clean eating diet is a simple approach to menu planning that just takes a little tweaking to your current favorite meals. One thing you will need to get used to is how you grocery shop. Here are some tips for managing the grocery store and avoiding all those processed goodies at the same time.
Always Bring a List
There is absolutely no avoiding this – you need a list.
Your grocery list should be as detailed as possible, listing all ingredients for every meal you have planned this week. If you have any ingredients that you aren’t 100% sure your store will have, it might be a good idea to include some alternatives as well on the list so that meal will be complete.
With a list in hand, you can be sure you only buy what is on your list and avoid all those
temptations you might come across.
Start in the Produce Section
Since a good portion of your list is probably fruits and vegetables, you should start
shopping in the produce section. Get all of your fresh produce here first, including things
like the healthier salad dressings, hummus, and cheese that is often found in this
section.
If you are picking up nuts and seeds, you might find them in the produce
section as well, especially if you are looking for the raw, organic varieties.
Shop the Perimeter
Once you are done in the produce section, which should be at one end of your
supermarket, it is time to shop the perimeter. This means most of your food is around
the outer edges of the grocery store.
You should only need to go to the middle aisles for
certain ingredients like grains and oils.
The majority of middle aisles have packaged and processed foods that you are trying to avoid while clean eating, so it is best to avoid the temptation.
The perimeter of the store is where you will find your produce, dairy (if you
eat it), eggs, meats, and seafood.
Only Going to Middle Aisles for Necessities
Lastly, head to those scary middle aisles, but only go to the ones you absolutely need, such as detergents to wash clothes, dishes or clean your house.
Get out of the habit of walking down every aisle out of curiosity. This is often where you
get into trouble. If you aren’t getting whole rolled or steel-cut oatmeal, avoid the cereal aisle.
If you don’t need any unhealthy snacks, don’t even bother with the aisle that has chips and crackers.
You should already have clean foods like celery and carrots and unsweetened, unhydrogenated nut butters or raw nuts like almonds, cashews, or walnuts and/or apples or berries to eat as snacks.
Ready for more? Check out our “Clean Eating for the Busy Person: 14 Day to a Healthier Lifestyle” program now – click here to learn more.
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