Grocery Shopping 101

So your pantry is full of snacks, things like goldfish and granola bars. It’s time for a pantry clean out and a fridge upgrade. But, you’ve been going to the store and buying the same things since college, you don’t know how to start.

Here are some general guidelines:

• stay on the perimeter, this is where the fresh food will be

• put at least 3 colors in your cart (various fruits and vegetables)

• grab pantry staples in bulk (extra vigil olive oil, coconut/almond flour, gluten free pasta, etc.)

• avoid anything with high amounts of sugar

• avoid anything with canola, vegetable, or safflower oil

• give yourself a barrier, and don’t buy your favorite binge snack - if it’s not in the house, you won’t eat it

• get food for 4-7 days - you don’t want food to spoil and you can always go back to the store

• buy organic if available

• get at least 2 sources of protein

• get at least 1 source of healthy fat

• get at least 2 sources of high quality carbohydrates

• wash your fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home as part of your grocery shopping experience, prep, cut, and store in the fridge for easy grab and go

Bonus: look up 3 healthy breakfast, lunch & dinner recipes before you go and write down what you need. Grocery shopping always turns out better when you have a plan!