How to Make a Healthy Grocery Shopping List

Grocery shopping can be a difficult task, even for the most organized person.

Tempting, unhealthy foods seem to lurk in every aisle, threatening to offset your health goals.

A grocery list is a handy tool that can help you navigate the store with ease and help you stick to your healthy eating plan.

A well-thought-out grocery list is not only a memory aide, it can also keep you on track, minimizing impulse buying while saving you money. It will also set you up for success even when you’re tight on time, helping you keep nutritious food on hand to eat all week.

What’s more, studies have shown that using a list while grocery shopping can lead to healthier food choices and even weight loss (1, 2).

The following tips will help you prepare a healthy grocery shopping list so you can fill your cart with smart choices.

Having the ingredients necessary to prepare tasty meals all week long is an excellent way to maintain a healthy diet.

Having an empty fridge, freezer or pantry can lead you to rely on fast food or takeout, especially when you have a packed schedule. That’s why it’s so important to stock your shelves with nutritious options.

Studies have shown that people who plan their meals in advance have a healthier overall diet and lower body weight than those who don’t (3).

Plus, those who plan their meals ahead of time tend to cook more meals at home, a practice that has been linked to better diet quality and lower levels of body fat (3).

Making a point of planning your meals for the week may help you avoid making poor choices and help you create a grocery shopping list more efficiently.

An excellent way to start planning your meals is to create a recipe board detailing the meals you would like to eat for the week, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

After figuring out what ingredients you will need to create your meals, add these to your grocery list, being sure to include the amount of each food you will need.

Rather than scrambling to remember which favorite pantry staple you recently ran out of, keep a running list of the items you need to buy during your next trip to the grocery store.

Dry erase boards or magnetic to-do lists that hang on your fridge are excellent ways to keep tabs on your kitchen inventory.

There are also many apps designed to help you stay on top of grocery shopping and meal planning.

Keeping track of the foods you use, as well as the new and healthy foods you want to try, will make compiling your weekly shopping list that much easier.

Article Provided by:  #MSViewsandNews

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