Shop Fit

Many of my worst diet blunders began at the grocery store. It's taken me quite a few years to learn but now I finally understand how to stock my fridge and pantry with healthy foods. Here are a few helpful tips that won't leave you feeling guilty or blaming the check out girl at Jewel for making you fat.

1. Under NO circumstances go near the grocery store when you are hungry..unless its a produce market- then the damage you can do is minimal.

2. Don't go empty handed. Think about what you plan to eat for the week and go to the grocery store with a list of all the items you intend to buy. If you stick to your list, you'll avoid impulse buys saving your waistline and your wallet.

3. Stick to the outer edges of the store. Start with stocking up on yummy fruits and veggies, skip the deli- its loaded with high sodium foods, make your way to the meat/fish counter for some lean protein, and hit the dairy. Finally, enter carefully into the middle of the store for a few whole wheat items, and legumes.

4. Make friends with the meat/fish guy. You'll find that they might start to helpfully steer you direction of the best cuts of meat and freshest seafood.

5. Enjoy! You have sucessfully navigated your way through the dangerous pitfalls of the grocery store and can go home and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal!