by Caroline St Clare

Created on: February 07, 2011

While browsing the aisles of a supermarket, it can be tempting to load up the cart with unhealthy snacks. They lurk on every corner, presenting an irresistible challenge for even the healthiest of shoppers. Stores use all sorts of methods to part us from our money but ultimately, it’s down to the shopper to spend wisely. Arming yourself with a few healthy grocery shopping tips can help you avoid many of the common pitfalls found in the stores.

Prepare before you go

Rather than wandering around the store looking for inspiration, come prepared with a list. Decide what meals you're going to eat that week and buy accordingly. Include plenty of vegetables to accompany the main meals plus lots of healthy fruit for snacks. Having a list to hand is also helpful if you're in a hurry when you might be tempted to grab whatever catches your eye, healthy or not.

Beware of supermarket tricks

Grocery stores are clever, or rather those that manage them are. They know our weaknesses and capitalize on them. For instance, stores love to waft aromas of freshly baked bread around the store, knowing this will draw us towards the bakery. Of course, this is conveniently placed in the far corner of the store, thus ensuring we'll pass by plenty of offers on the way. Stores also like to place bargains and offers at the end of the aisles. This prominent position gives the shopper little chance of avoiding them as they turn the corner. Beware, it's never fruit and vegetables on offer here.

Check labels

Not all food is what it seems. Manufacturers blatantly promote health benefits on the packaging but neglect to mention those which are detrimental to our well being. For instance, a cereal box may declare it's low in salt or high in fiber, but upon reading the label, you may discover it’s also high in fat and sugar. Likewise, supposedly healthy products such as yogurts, sell themselves with 'low fat' labels but are actually loaded with sugar.

Avoid snack aisles

Steer clear of the snack aisles, especially if you're easily swayed by offers or promotions such as 'buy one get one free'. Most of the food found here is loaded with over processed, high fat and salt products with few, if any, health benefits. March right past these aisles and you won’t be tempted in a moment of weakness.

Stock up with canned and frozen food

It can be helpful to keep a ready supply of healthy canned and frozen food at home. This is particularly useful for those occasions when you've run out of fresh produce, so there's no need to go without a healthy intake of nutrients. Canned and frozen fruit and vegetables contain just as many vitamins and minerals, sometimes more, as fresh produce. Canned fruit or individual fruit pots also make handy stand by snacks, but check they're in natural juice and not syrup.

Shoppers are fortunate to have so much choice when grocery shopping. But this isn’t always to our advantage. Resisting the bargains on unhealthy products can prove difficult and ruin a shopper's good intentions. Recognizing the tactics used by stores and manufacturers, while sticking to a well planned shopping list, along with a good dose of willpower, should help make your grocery trip a healthy one.

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