by Ann E. Smith

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: January 19, 2009

Out of sight, out of mind, right? This expression is a good one, and it can be applied to dieting. By keeping certain foods out of sight and reach in your kitchen, then you will be less likely to think about them or consume them.

So to support your weight loss efforts, you will want to keep trigger and binge foods off the shelves. But, let's back up a step and think about how you stock your home with food. It all starts at the grocery store.

Like anything else in life, you will have more success in shopping wisely at the supermarket if you employ a few tactics. Below are some tips for how to keep yourself from impulse buying foods that will sabotage your efforts to lose weight.

* Make a detailed list of items you need before you go.

A man on a mission is focused and does not stray from his course. The same can be the case for you when you go to the grocery store. If you plan ahead and make a list of the healthy, sensible items you need, then you are armed to do battle. Simply go to the store, and focus on drilling down this list. Make it a goal to stick to that list. As you focus on the task at hand, you will have less room to let your eye stray to the candy aisle.

* Avoid the junk food aisles if at all possible.

Speaking of the candy aisle, avoid this place at all costs! When you go to the grocery store, you will notice that certain aisles are like land mines for dieters. If you walk near them, your will power may implode! The good news is that these aisles can typically be completely avoided. Junk foods like candy and cookies like to hang out together. So you can give them the complete blow off by skipping their location.

* Carefully read nutrional labels.

Most foods have nutrional labels that provide calorie content, and breakdowns of fat, protein, carbohydrates and other things. Read these labels very carefully, and be sure to pay attention to the number of serving sizes in the package. If that number is three, for example, you will need to multiply the calories by three to get the total amount in that package or container. Try to select lower fat and calorie items.

* Select diet-friendly items.

Many items are more diet-friendly than others. If you are looking at creamers, for example, you will be wise to select the fat-free ones over the full-fat versions. In the frozen food section, there are numerous varieties of lower calorie entrees, such as Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice brands. There are light versions of almost anything these days, whether it be potato chips,

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