I know a lot of people who hate shopping for food and I don’t understand this, because I love to go to grocery stores and buy healthy foods. In fact, buying food may seem like a dent in your budget, take up too much time and get in the way of your schedule. That’s why many people often buy unhealthy food because they want to hurry up and leave. I want to share with you a few things you should never buy at grocery stores.
1. Cookies
I’m sure you know that cookies from the supermarket are not good for you, and they will not fill you up. Even organic cookies are high in refined grains and refined sugar, and they are lacking in nutritional value. They are just a waste of your calories and money. Try some healthy snack options like nuts and dried fruit instead of those cookies.
2. Frozen meals
Another thing you should not buy at grocery stores is frozen meals, which are packed with chemicals, sodium, unhealthy fats, preservatives, refined grains and refined sugars. Even the most organic options may have fat or sodium. You should never buy diet foods, since they are low in calories but very high in sodium. You can buy such frozen foods as frozen fish, plain frozen chicken, plain frozen fruits plain frozen veggies, and base your meals off these foods.
3. Vegetable oils
Such vegetable oils as soy, canola, safflower and peanut oil are high in unhealthy Omega 6 fats. They may cause inflammation, diabetes, weight gain, and heart disease. Besides vegetable oils, you shouldn’t buy vegetable oil spreads, which are usually marketed as diet butter alternatives. Opt for coconut oil, flax oil, extra virgin olive oil, and coconut butter or organic grass fed-butter, which are much healthier options.
4. Boxed mixes
Muffin mixes, cake mixes, and even those gluten-free boxed mixes contain refined flours, refined sugars, and GMO corn and soy. These foods are just a waste of your money and they actually do nothing for you nutritionally. Choose alternate foods and snacks or make your own at home.
5. Frozen yogurt
Do you know that frozen yogurt is one of the highest sugar sources of all the frozen foods? It may be even higher in sugar than an ice cream! If you really like frozen yogurt, then buy Greek yogurt, freeze it and add some fruit or nut butter. It contains much less sugar than frozen yogurt and will satisfy your need for a cold and creamy treat.
6. Inorganic dairy
If you are going to buy dairy, stick to the organic versions, which are free of pesticides, hormones, chemicals, antibiotics. I especially love organic kefir and yogurt, which are perfect for immune system and health. If want to buy alternative dairy foods, be sure to avoid too much sugar. I especially like coconut milk and unsweetened vanilla almond milk for healthier dairy alternative options.
7. Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are chemically processed and they have been linked to ADHD, cancer, autism and diabetes. Stop buying artificial sweeteners and start using natural sweeteners like honey, stevia, or coconut sugar. Make sure you limit your intake of sweet foods, since it just makes you crave more sugary foods.
There are so many unhealthy foods at grocery stores including prepackaged snacks, sugary beverages, and candy that it’s really hard not to buy them. But it’s important to fill your cart with the healthy foods like fruits, veggies, organic dairy, wild fish, organic meats, organic eggs, nuts and seeds, healthy fats, and whole grains. What foods do you usually avoid at the grocery store? Share your thoughts, please!
