Change the Way You Shop to Lose Weight

If you are struggling to lose weight, take heart: success might be as simple as changing the way you shop for groceries. One simple change you can make is avoiding packaged “diet” products. Snacks, cookies, and cakes with labels that say “reduced sugar” or “low fat” may be deceptively high in calories. Besides that, they almost certainly lack essential nutrients your body needs. Here are additional tips to help you shop smart and lose the weight for good.

Buy mostly whole foods

When you base your diet on whole foods, you’ll find it much easier to maintain a healthy weight, and you’ll avoid lots of the chemical additives often found in packaged foods (even the ones labelled “low fat” or “low sugar”). Create balanced meals with lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains along with healthy fats in moderation for the best results. Although a diet of mainly whole foods is often thought to be more expensive, the truth is it’s much cheaper to buy and cook food than it is to eat out.

Stay out of the middle aisles

Grocery stores are designed with specific goals. Fresh produce, whole grains, and dairy products are often found around the store’s perimeter while the centre aisles are full of packaged fare. Shopping these centre aisles can do damage to your diet as well as your budget.

Prepackaged foods typically contain lots of sugar, salt, or chemical additives, and they cost more than whole foods, too. Make as much of your food as possible out of fresh, whole foods, and your waistline will thank you.

Make a shopping list

Shopping without a plan is a recipe for disaster. It’s far too easy to buy more food than you need or make impulse purchases when you wander around without a list. Take a few minutes before you head to the store to plan your meals for the next few days and shop for those ingredients only. Being prepared with a list and sticking to it when you shop can help you tremendously when it comes to cutting back on junk food.

These tips can help you achieve your weight loss goals by addressing the heart of the issue: the food you buy in the first place.