Grocery Lists for Better Health

By Donna Kostiew

Unless you are a parent looking for some quiet time with a coffee in hand, grocery shopping usually isn’t on the top of anyone’s list of fun things to do during the week. It can actually be somewhat of a difficult task, even for the most organized person. But it’s single-handedly one of the most important tasks we do for ourselves and our loved ones, especially in regards to everyone’s overall health.

Utilizing Grocery Lists for Better Health and Savings

Taking care of ourselves and our family is obviously of the highest priority, and what we purchase at the grocery store is critical to achieving and maintaining great health. It can be hard though to stay on track with our fitness and health goals if we head to the store without a plan. A grocery list is the perfect weapon to have in hand while navigating the aisles of treats and goodies. It will help you stick with a healthy eating plan while also lowering the final cost of your bill. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using a grocery list every time you shop.

• Healthier food choices – Using a grocery list will help to keep you on track with maintaining your healthy-eating goals and with keeping your refrigerator and pantry stocked with ingredients to prepare healthy meals all week long. This is important and is a great way to avoid the excuse of ordering takeout when there is “nothing to cook at home.” Also, it is a great way to commit to having plenty of fruits and vegetables in the house to snack on in place of chips, cookies, and plastic-wrapped, neon-colored pastries.
• Weight management – A well thought-out shopping list will set you up for success when it comes to weight loss and weight management. It can be a great reminder and point of focus while walking up and down all of those aisles filled with temptations that seem to be screaming your name. So arm yourself well and put a muzzle on that noise. By planning your meals ahead of time and cooking more often at home with nutritious foods, you will be able to better maintain a healthier diet and will have more luck at lowering your levels of body fat and maintaining your ideal weight.
• Savings – Making it a point to plan your meals and snacks at home will help you avoid making poor shopping choices at the store. Your shopping will become more efficient and you will be less likely to fall into the “impulse-buying” that usually happens around the time you walk down the cereal aisle. This will not only help you save money, but also time as well, and that can often be just as important as the dollars that you are keeping in your wallet with your thorough planning.

Families who plan their meals and shopping in advance tend to have an overall healthier diet and lifestyle, so give it a try, and get your loved ones on the right track to achieving great health.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chino Hills, Calif.