Are you are shopping at a grocery store named Albertson’s, Safeway, Smith’s, Piggly Wiggly, Ralph’s, or Publix? Then your grocery store is probably not helping you get healthy.
Most grocery stores are set up with a small produce section off to one side while the majority of the store is full of sugar-laden processed foods. I know you have all heard of “perimeter” shopping (shopping around the outside sections while avoiding the middle aisles). But, what about the whole grains? Interesting beans? Spices? Nuts? In a traditional grocery store you have to rummage through all the junk to find your few precious healthy items. It is easy to feel like your diet is too limiting and you can’t eat anything in a place like that. Remember, it is not your diet, it is your grocery store. When I go to our local Albertson’s I always feel like they are promoting the junk food and hiding the healthy stuff from me. I am constantly asking if they have this or that and if they even know what I am talking about it is almost always a no- seriously, wheat germ is not that uncommon. Sometime I feel like I am trying to go grocery shopping in a large gas station.
Find a market that supports and helps your healthy eating. I drive 20 minutes away to go to Henry’s Market. The entire middle of the store is the produce and bulk grain section. I can always find the healthy items on my list- and ones that aren’t. I feel encouraged by the amount of delicious options that fit into my healthy diet. I also go to my local farmer’s market often for the best fresh, organic, and local produce.
Make it a priority to at least try out your local health food store (Whole Foods and Sprouts are good). You will wonder why you haven’t been going there all along.
