- Make a List – by having what you need written down ahead of time it will help you resist temptation and speed up the shopping process.
- Don’t go to the store hungry – you are more likely to impulse buy if you shop while hungry.
- Shop the 4 corners of the store – this is where you will find the most nutritious items. (Fruit and Vegetables in the produce section; Whole grains in the bakery; Low-fat milk/yogurt in the dairy aisle; and Lean Protein in the meat/fish/poultry department).
- Read the label - bypass the front of the package and rely mainly on the nutrition facts panel and ingredients lists. If you’re looking to bump up fiber or protein intake, or lower fat/saturated fat intake, the nutrition facts panel can be a one-stop shop for all nutrients and can simplify the process of comparing products (make sure you also check the serving size).
- Don’t buy at eye level - look high and low on store shelves for the least expensive items in their category — and often the most nutritious. Brands pay higher slotting fees to be placed at eye level, and those costs are generally passed on to consumers.
- Try something new – go out of your comfort zone and try something you haven’t tried before, who knows you may end up liking it.
