Set yourself up for success! What you have in front of you every day is what you’re going to eat. We’ve all heard “shop the exterior”, which is absolutely true (real food). A next level practice includes thinking about meal prep, which markets to go to, and how many times a week to get it done.
NUMBER OF SHOPS:
Generally speaking, real food needs to be eaten within a few days of purchasing. As you make the transformational shift away from processed foods, your demand for a flexible and effective shopping routine is going to increase. As your cooking and home food prep evolves, get ready to hit the stores as often as needed. The “one big shop” on Saturday morning will no longer be enough to make it through the week. Plan on 2-3 shops to keep the fresh food readily available.
FLEXIBILITY AND PRICE AWARENESS:
Have a few store options that you can hit. Between jobs, family responsibilities, and leisure activities, our schedules take us all over the map. Be flexible with where you can pull over to get the meats or fresh fish you are looking to grill. Have a go-to spot for organic vegetables that you hit once a week. Over time, become aware of which stores offer better pricing on certain foods. If you’re shopping 2-3 times per week, you can embrace a flow that will cover your entire basis.
BUYING LOCAL:
Most communities now have farmers markets in the warmer seasons. Take advantage and support your local resources. The food will be fresh, great tasting, and it’s always fun to experience and appreciate the hard work it takes to provide us with real food. A lot of grocery stores will highlight locally grown products, so keep an eye out and support whenever you can.
BUYING BULK OR ONLINE:
Keep the bulk stores in mind for key supplies like oils, condiments, nuts, and frozen fruits and vegetables. These are “lightly processed” foods and will be significantly cheaper at the Costco’s and BJ’s of the world. You can also cash in on bulk meats and vegetables if you plan on cooking big and/or stashing leftovers.
Look into sites like Vitacost or Thrivemarket if you want some online options to shop healthy in bulk. If you’re short on time, take advantage of FreshDirect or other local store delivery options. You can place your orders and have it delivered to your door.
A fine tuned shopping routine can define your week (and your waistline)! Embrace it as a vital part of your health and wellness. Good luck!
