There are many benefits to shopping at a health food store rather than a big supermarket chain. Aside from the obvious improvements in quality, choice and provenance, shopping healthy means that you can more easily lose weight, stay healthy and feel great about yourself - without the distractions of confectionery items and other naughtiness!
Yet it can take some time to learn how to properly shop at health food stores. You may not be familiar with all the foods on offer, and lack of own brand options means you’ll need to shop smarter to make savings. Here are my top tips for shopping clever:
Buy In Larger Quantities For Affordability
Basics economics dictates that purchasing non perishable items in a larger quantity can help you save money. If there are staples that you use on an almost daily basis this can be a good chance to stock up. Keep an eye out for special offers and look for economy sizes at discounted rates. Your initial bill might be bigger, but you’ll be ahead in terms of week 2. If you don’t trust yourself with all this yumminess laying around, you can separate it out and store in airtight containers.
Shop Healthy
You might think that because you are shopping at a health food store that everything is going to be nutritionally sound for your needs. This is not always the case and you should still pay close attention to what you are purchasing. When it comes to certain food groups you should pay extra attention to your choices. For example:
- Protein
You are better off purchasing leaner meats in order to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level and maintain good heart health. White meats are richer in protein than red, so opt for skinless chicken and turkey. Of course, you can also skip meat altogether and get your protein from healthier sources like eggs, dairy products and beans.
- Fruits and Vegetables
The latest study by the UCL suggests a healthy diet means 10 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, not five. It goes without saying, these foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function and stay healthy. Buy as many as you can fresh but also stock your pantry with canned and jarred varieties and don’t be afraid to buy frozen. The main rule of thumb is to avoid fruit and vegetables that come laden with added sugar or salt.
Plan Your Meals Ahead
Before you shop you will want to make a list of all the meals you plan on eating that week. This way, you won’t over-shop and you’ll save money. Research food blogs, check out Pinterest and get inspired by those in-the-know; healthy can most definitely be tasty.
Construct a shopping list that contains all your basic ingredients, then ensure your herb and spice rack is bountiful. It’s also worth noting where you’ll be eating your meals (whether it be at work, at home, etc) as you’ll inevitably need some on-the-go snacks rather than place pressure upon yourself to prepare meals in advance - packs of seeds for example are a great alternative to breakfast bars and crisps.
Finally, consider shopping at health food stores online. This is arguably the most affordable way of food shopping (we save at least £20 per month) as you’re not tempted to bung in more items as your shop. Evergreen is a convenient and affordable solution due to the wide variety of health food options (including vitamins and other remedies) as well as your traditional staples such as baby products, cleaning products, personal care products, foods, beverages and more.
