Laurel House, author of "Quickie Chick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance -- On a Less-Than-Fabulous Budget," says that her number one grocery-shopping tip is to shop with a list -- and stick to it. "I only buy the necessities," she says. "The impulse buys are generally the most fattening and the most expensive." She keeps an ongoing list in her pantry, and chooses foods based on a "bites with benefits" philosophy she developed. "I think of my goals for the week -- like sleeping better or de-stressing," she says. "If I have a vacation coming up, I'll buy belly-flattening foods. Foods that are high in potassium will flush out salt. High-water foods -- like cucumbers, celery, and watermelon -- are also good." To help keep her on track, she'll write the benefits next to the item on her list.
Photo 0/12
Slim women don't shop when they're hungry � or rushed, or tired, or when the store is too crowded
Nutritionists and health writers have been saying, "don't shop when you're hungry" since the invention of the refrigerator -- and while that tactic is still a good one, there are even more factors to consider. The best shoppers head to the store with the ideal shopping mentality -- not just a full stomach. House always has a healthy snack before she goes to the store, she gives herself ample time to get what she needs, and she tries to sneak in a workout beforehand. "If you've worked out and eaten something healthy, you'll feel better about yourself and you'll make better choices," she says.
You're standing in line at the grocery store, and there she is: A woman with an amazing body (she's undoubtedly wearing yoga clothes -- maybe she even has a mat strapped to her back), glowing skin, and a cart full of vegetables. You contemplate hiding your pint of Ben & Jerry's behind an "Us Weekly" as you're overcome with guilt and the realization that healthy grocery shopping has never been your forté.
Sound familiar? Whether you're on a diet or just trying to eat healthier, the grocery store can be an intimidating place, rife with temptations. However, there are certain women -- namely slim women -- who seem to float through the aisles picking up the ripest fruits and most pristine-looking vegetables. They grab a piece of wild salmon, maybe a jar of almond butter, and they're on their way.
These superhuman shoppers have a secret: a set of healthy grocery shopping guidelines they follow no matter what. While the key rule used to be "focus on the perimeter" (meaning you should shop the produce, meat, fish, and dairy sections to get the healthiest, freshest ingredients), that's no longer the ultimate rule to shop by. "I love grocery shopping," says celebrity yoga and fitness instructor Kristin McGee (who epitomizes the gorgeous shopper described above). "But it's important to go with a plan -- supermarkets are getting so tricky."
McGee and women like her have mastered the art of healthy grocery shopping. Follow their rules and you won't even want to pick up the Chunky Monkey.
