SNEAKY SUPERMARKET STRATEGIES
Grocery shopping can be like walking into an amusement park ride called
the Terror of Temptation. Even if you know what to buy, other options are
trying to lure you in. Fear not—these tips will help you enter the fray with
confidence:
Eat a healthy snack like an apple before you go. One study showed that
you will buy 25 percent less produce if you do that.
Take a shopping list every time. Remember, this will help you avoid
impulse purchases.
Model the cart after your plate. As you shop, follow the dinner plate
formula of ½ produce, ¼ protein, ¼ complex carbohydrates. Fruits and
veggies should take up as much space in your cart as your protein and
whole grains combined. Treats? Give them just a tiny corner, or crowd
them out altogether.
Read the whole ingredients list. Ideally, that shouldn’t take long! Fewer
generally equals better when it comes to ingredients.
Map your route. Going in with a plan lessens the chance you’ll be
distracted by the wrong foods.
Give yourself time. Some Cornell University research shows that people
who are hurried or frazzled buy lower-quality foods.
Still tempted by junk? Chew gum. Research shows that gum-chewers
bought 7 percent fewer sugary and processed foods.