Clean eating is a simple diet 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, meat, 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. 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 oatmeal, avoid the cereal aisle. If you don’t need any snacks, don’t even bother with the aisle that has chips and crackers.
