Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping

Shopping for healthy foods for your family doesn't have to be a challenge. At first, it might take you a few extra minutes to check for an organic version or to read a list of ingredients, but finding the healthiest foods for your family's health and wellness is well worth the effort.

Here are some tips to make sure you are getting the healthy foods you and your family needs the next time you go food shopping.

1. Shop for food at your local farmers market - Depending on the size of your local farmers market, this is a great place to buy organic produce, nuts, breads, jams and jellies, herbs and other groceries. You will be supporting local farmers and will get fresher, better tasting food for your family.

2. Grocery shop at natural foods stores and/or natural foods sections first - Before you head to the bigger chain grocery stores, take your grocery list to your local natural or health food store for the healthiest possible options that might not be available at more conventional grocers. True, it's more than one stop, but if you can't get your healthy food at the chain grocer, and you can't get some of your staples at your local health/natural grocer, then this is the best option for checking everything off you list and making sure you are getting healthy food for your family. If you don't have a local natural foods or health foods store, or if the chain grocer has a natural foods section, then start your shopping in the natural foods section of the larger grocery store before venturing into the other aisles.

3. Shop mostly around the perimeter of the store - Most folks never notice this when they go the market, but the healthier food is pretty much always around the outside perimeter of the store. The produce section, bakery section (as well as the dairy section and meat counter for non-vegans) and fresher, healthier foods are almost all found in the outer aisles. Of course, you will still need to venture into the inner aisles for things like cooking oil, coffee, tea and whatnot, but that is also the location of all the packaged, over processed, additive-laden, sugary - and otherwise unhealthy - foods.

4. Take the time to read and compare ingredients - This is second nature for some folks (like us vegans), but everyone would benefit from taking the time to read the ingredient list on products they are about to toss into their shopping cart. Healthy food shopping starts here. If there are lots of words you can't pronounce, you might want to pass on that item and look for a more natural and healthier alternative. By comparing the ingredients lists on two seemingly similar products, you might find that one has a much higher sodium or fat content or that one has added vitamins. This will help you make healthier food choices for your family and will only take more time in the beginning - once you have become acquainted with the ingredient list for the items your family uses the most, your healthy food shopping won't take any additional time.

5. Buy organic when you can - Always check to see if there is an organic version available before grabbing that conventionally (read: grown with pesticides, chemicals, etc) grown and processed tomato, pasta or bread. Organics may not always be an option due to price or availability, but it is always worth checking.

6. Make a grocery list - Plan your meals and make your list before you head out to the grocery store to shop for food. This will help to ensure that you get everything you need without overbuying and wasting food. This also will guide your shopping trip and help you steer clear of those middle aisles with all that over processed, additive-laden food and to avoid impulse buys.

7. Don't grocery shop when you are hungry - Have you ever noticed that everything looks tasty when you go grocery shopping before you eat? Eat first and avoid overbuying and the urge to buy quick convenience foods. With a full belly you will think better, stick to your list and be more likely to make healthy food choices.