Go Fresh Farms

The most dangerous parts of any store are the ends of the aisles where nice older ladies offer bites of tasty sample foods. A shopper who accepts a few of these along the way may end up consuming hundreds of calories without even realizing it. Politely decline samples to prevent an accidental diet disaster.
Read Packaged Product Labels Carefully
Labels can be deceiving. Scrutinize products before simply tossing something in the cart that says, “low calorie” or “less fat”. One area that often confuses dieters is the number of servings. For example, the label on a can of soup may say 110 calories per serving. However, the can itself may contain 2.5 servings. Therefore, consuming the entire can would amount to 275 calories. Read ingredient lists and check the numbers. Just because something claims to be healthy doesn’t mean it really is.

When it comes to finding the freshest and cheapest produce, aim to look for produce that’s seasonal (look here for what’s in season). Seasonal produce is cheaper because it’s not imported, and it also has far fewer pesticides than imported produce due to stricter it’s cheaper because it’s not imported and it’s fresher too because it’s picked closer to the time of sale.
Always remember to look for produce that looks the freshest by avoiding wilted lettuce, checking your produce for mold (berries especially!) – this will save you another run to the grocery store as well as money.
Check any food that has a sell-by or expiration date. Most often, the food that is closest to reach on the shelf (particularly when there is more product behind, further back on the shelf) will be that which expires the soonest; for the freshest products reach back behind the produce closest to the front. This is particularly true for meat. Make sure you check your dates!
Understand PLU codes to help easily you identify organic vs. non-organic produce. The PLU code is the code on the sticker found on the fruit/vegetable and it’s important to note that organic produce will have a PLU code starting with the number 9 (for example, 9-4511); organic produce will also have a five digit PLU code versus a four digit code on conventional produce.

Always remember to look for produce that looks the freshest by avoiding wilted lettuce, checking your produce for mold (berries especially!) – this will save you another run to the grocery store as well as money.
Check any food that has a sell-by or expiration date. Most often, the food that is closest to reach on the shelf (particularly when there is more product behind, further back on the shelf) will be that which expires the soonest; for the freshest products reach back behind the produce closest to the front. This is particularly true for meat. Make sure you check your dates!
Understand PLU codes to help easily you identify organic vs. non-organic produce. The PLU code is the code on the sticker found on the fruit/vegetable and it’s important to note that organic produce will have a PLU code starting with the number 9 (for example, 9-4511); organic produce will also have a five digit PLU code versus a four digit code on conventional produce.

Every grocery store has the same general set up: fruits, vegetables, breads, and dairy items typically line the outer edges while the processed, boxed, bagged and canned items fill the inner aisles. Spend the majority of time shopping on the outside aisles and the cart will easily be filled with whole, natural and healthy foods.
Avoid Grocery Store Samples
The most dangerous parts of any store are the ends of the aisles where nice older ladies offer bites of tasty sample foods. A shopper who accepts a few of these along the way may end up consuming hundreds of calories without even realizing it. Politely decline samples to prevent an accidental diet disaster.
Read Packaged Product Labels Carefully
Labels can be deceiving. Scrutinize products before simply tossing something in the cart that says, “low calorie” or “less fat”. One area that often confuses dieters is the number of servings. For example, the label on a can of soup may say 110 calories per serving. However, the can itself may contain 2.5 servings. Therefore, consuming the entire can would amount to 275 calories. Read ingredient lists and check the numbers. Just because something claims to be healthy doesn’t mean it really is.

Fresh food and produce is placed on the outside walls of the supermarket– fruits and vegetables, cold storage for things like hummus and guacamole, eggs and dairy, the butcher, seafood and more. The outside four walls of the store is where you should plan to spend most of your time.
When it comes to finding the freshest and cheapest produce, aim to look for produce that’s seasonal (look here for what’s in season). Seasonal produce is cheaper because it’s not imported, and it also has far fewer pesticides than imported produce due to stricter it’s cheaper because it’s not imported and it’s fresher too because it’s picked closer to the time of sale.
Always remember to look for produce that looks the freshest by avoiding wilted lettuce, checking your produce for mold (berries especially!) – this will save you another run to the grocery store as well as money.
Check any food that has a sell-by or expiration date. Most often, the food that is closest to reach on the shelf (particularly when there is more product behind, further back on the shelf) will be that which expires the soonest; for the freshest products reach back behind the produce closest to the front. This is particularly true for meat. Make sure you check your dates!
Understand PLU codes to help easily you identify organic vs. non-organic produce. The PLU code is the code on the sticker found on the fruit/vegetable and it’s important to note that organic produce will have a PLU code starting with the number 9 (for example, 9-4511); organic produce will also have a five digit PLU code versus a four digit code on conventional produce.

Many people have healthy intentions when they visit the grocery store. However, circumstances come up and healthy grocery shopping becomes an unhealthy free-for-all. Baskets are filled with cookies, chips, soda pop, and other unhealthy snack items. Shopping carts end up overflowing with all of those diet killers that tempt innocent, well-intentioned shoppers. Below are a few helpful pointers to make healthy grocery shopping an easier and more common experience.

Don’t Go Grocery Shopping Hungry

The aisles of temptation when hunger has kicked in will only lead to over-purchasing and poor food decisions. Instead, go immediately after a meal or have a light snack before heading into the store. This will help any diet conscious shopper maintain strong willpower and a clear head.

Make a Healthy Grocery List

Do not go to the store empty handed. Know exactly what items you need. Make a list and stick to it. Without a list, you’ll end up forgetting things and adding unnecessary “splurge” items.

Stay to the Outside Perimeter of the Store

Every grocery store has the same general set up: fruits, vegetables, breads, and dairy items typically line the outer edges while the processed, boxed, bagged and canned items fill the inner aisles. Spend the majority of time shopping on the outside aisles and the cart will easily be filled with whole, natural and healthy foods.

Avoid Grocery Store Samples

The most dangerous parts of any store are the ends of the aisles where nice older ladies offer bites of tasty sample foods. A shopper who accepts a few of these along the way may end up consuming hundreds of calories without even realizing it. Politely decline samples to prevent an accidental diet disaster.

Read Packaged Product Labels Carefully

Labels can be deceiving. Scrutinize products before simply tossing something in the cart that says, “low calorie” or “less fat”. One area that often confuses dieters is the number of servings. For example, the label on a can of soup may say 110 calories per serving. However, the can itself may contain 2.5 servings. Therefore, consuming the entire can would amount to 275 calories. Read ingredient lists and check the numbers. Just because something claims to be healthy doesn’t mean it really is.

Grocery shopping can be both a wonderfully relaxing and extremely stressful event; too many people, not enough stock, long lines and more. When it comes to making the trip to the grocery store relaxing and enjoyable, there are a few major things that can help you save time so you arrive prepared and ready to go. Use these 6 simple tips to help you conquer your next grocery store quest.





1. Make a List
First and foremost, the most important thing to do before you go shopping is to make a list of what you will need to purchase. Making a list can help you focus on getting what you need, prevent forgetting key items and can also help to save you time and money. Use our Reboot with Joe Shopping List Template to help you.

Tip: Start your week by planning the items you’ll need during your grocery shopping trip to keep you going for your three meals and snacks. Here are a few easy categories to add to your checklist when it comes to planning your grocery trip:

Vegetables
Fruit
Nuts, seeds & legumes
Protein-rich foods (plant, and/or animal based)
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Ingredients for juices/smoothies & snacks
2. Find Fresh Food Fast.
When it comes to finding the healthiest food during your grocery trip it’s key to know where to look and what to look for.

Tips:

Fresh food and produce is placed on the outside walls of the supermarket– fruits and vegetables, cold storage for things like hummus and guacamole, eggs and dairy, the butcher, seafood and more. The outside four walls of the store is where you should plan to spend most of your time.
When it comes to finding the freshest and cheapest produce, aim to look for produce that’s seasonal (look here for what’s in season). Seasonal produce is cheaper because it’s not imported, and it also has far fewer pesticides than imported produce due to stricter it’s cheaper because it’s not imported and it’s fresher too because it’s picked closer to the time of sale.
Always remember to look for produce that looks the freshest by avoiding wilted lettuce, checking your produce for mold (berries especially!) – this will save you another run to the grocery store as well as money.
Check any food that has a sell-by or expiration date. Most often, the food that is closest to reach on the shelf (particularly when there is more product behind, further back on the shelf) will be that which expires the soonest; for the freshest products reach back behind the produce closest to the front. This is particularly true for meat. Make sure you check your dates!
Understand PLU codes to help easily you identify organic vs. non-organic produce. The PLU code is the code on the sticker found on the fruit/vegetable and it’s important to note that organic produce will have a PLU code starting with the number 9 (for example, 9-4511); organic produce will also have a five digit PLU code versus a four digit code on conventional produce.
3. Stay to the Perimeters
Plan your route at the store. Stick to the aisles and locations within the store that have the food you’re looking for (Hint: The freshest and healthiest food is along the outer walls of the super market). Taking unnecessary trips down aisles that have food you’re not purchasing can result in impulsive buys of junk food.

Tip: Get to know your grocery store; find out where the produce and food you purchase most often is located. This will help you save time during your trip and will help you to avoid purchasing packaged food in aisles that you don’t need to visit.

4. Avoid Sunday Night Shopping
This is another important factor to consider when it comes to having a stress-free and productive shopping trip. Shopping at busier times can make the process more chaotic and may result in having to go back for a second trip if items are not available.

Tip: Aim to start by shopping at different times of the day (evening, morning, lunch break- or whenever you can fit it in). Find a few times that are less busy than others that also work with your schedule and plan to shop at those times. Shopping when there are fewer people at the store will help you cut down on time spent shopping as well as stress.

5. Create a Routine
Creating a routine for grocery shopping can be extremely helpful when it comes to helping you get to the supermarket. Plan the activities both before and after you shop and try to repeat them on a weekly (or biweekly basis) – so that the trip to the store is just another part of your regular routine.

Tip: When it comes to creating a routine for shopping, planning to go once weekly on your way home from work (for example, Tuesday nights) and sticking to that routine as much as you can will help you continue to get there. Getting to the grocery store is perhaps the most important aspect of the shopping process – as being unable to go, or avoiding the trip to the supermarket can leave you unprepared with all of the food you need to make clean, simple and healthy dishes.

1. You forgot to eat lunch.
Yes, you may have heard the "don't go grocery shopping when you're starving" thing before — but there's a good reason for it. Not only are you susceptible to overspending, but you're also more likely to overeat what you do bring home. So whenever you're heading to the store, make sure you've had a snack or a meal first — your wallet and waistline will thank you.

2. You're unprepared.
Going to the supermarket without a list is like walking into the SATs without studying. (Well, close enough.) Feeling unprepared makes you vulnerable to poor choices — much like going in hungry! If that slip of paper usually gets left on the kitchen counter, make a list on your phone. Bonus: Then you can also use recipes from cooking apps or photos of favorite cookbook pages.

Bear with me: There's a strategy to the way a supermarket is laid out. Shopping the perimeter first loads up the cart with the good stuff like fresh fruits and veggies, dairy products, and often whole grains. Then, the chips, cookies, crackers, cakes, and soda that line the inner aisles have less room to squeeze into. This theory also applies to mealtime, too: Fill your plate with with these healthy items, and leave whatever "room" you've got left for dessert.

That said, hit up perishable or frozen items last: That’ll help keep the food you’re prepping stay at the appropriate temperature. Safety first!