When I talk to my clients, I always tell them that some of the most important health decisions you make are actually at the grocery store. Have you thought about that? And this is why I want to share some tips and tricks with you on how to navigate this safely!
# 1: Produce section
This is where you are going to find your fruits, your vegetables. And if your mind goes straight into all the chopping that is involved with those foods, know that this section still offers a lot of convenience items; look for pre-chopped and ready to cook options, where you can just throw it into a pot. For example, pre-chopped, pre-washed greens that you can just throw into a salad should be a staple in your fridge!
# 2: Whole grains
For foods including flours, 100% whole grain options will provide you with more fiber -also known as filling carbs. Brown rice pasta is also a great alternative if you are looking for a gluten-free option. Now, if you are looking for a grain-free, gluten-free alternative, give lentil pasta or chickpea pasta a try - These options also provide you with some extra protein!
# 3 Breakfast essentials
For a light and fresh breakfast or snack, frozen fruits are essential for smoothies!
Also, for another fiber loaded option, oats are more versatile than you imagine! Having a bag of rolled oats around is great for making a quick breakfast of oatmeal or overnight oats, but you can also add them to smoothies for filling carbs, put them in muffins or cookies, or blend them with nut butter and honey to make energy balls.
# 4 Explore the Spices section
As you learn to explore new foods, this is where you are going to shine! I really encourage you to explore this section, as this is where your tastes are going to expand enormously.
And as you are trying new spices, think about checking out a local food store - sometimes they offer spices in bulk that are unbelievably cheap compared to your normal grocery store.
#5 Frozen section
The frozen section is usually my last stop at the grocery store. You will find a lot of nicely chopped vegetables here that are full of nutrients and extremely convenient, too! You will see mixed options such as stir-fry style that require zero effort for very easy dinners!
# 6 Quick and easy protein add-ons
To quickly add protein to a meal, it’s hard to beat canned fish! Packed with omega-3 fats, calcium, and vitamin D, canned fish is a nutrient-rich choice. Mix the fish with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs, and enjoy it with crackers as a snack.
I hope this was helpful!