Sometimes going to the grocery store can feel overwhelming. There are so many packaged food products and so many nutrition and marketing labels it can be difficult to make an informed decision on what is a healthier option. In this post I'm going to share my top 3 practices for grocery shopping, my number one tip when it comes to reading food labels and 5 key questions to consider.

Top 3 Practices for Grocery Shopping:

1. Make a list: plan meals ahead of time and create a shopping list to avoid impulsive buys and to make sure you have everything you need.

2. Don't shop on an empty stomach: shopping while hungry can lead to making unhealthy choices.

3. Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store: shop around the outer aisles where fresh produce, meats and whole foods are located first, and then shop the inner aisles.

Now, I know the 3rd practice can be difficult which is why I want to help you make informed decisions when you do shop in the inner aisles. My number one tip when it comes to reading food labels is to read the INGREDIENTS LABEL FIRST. When I first learnt how to read food labels, I would only look at how many calories there were and the total grams of sugar on the nutrition facts label. However, food doesn't just contain calories, it contains information and instructions that can either create health or dis-ease in the body. This is why the ingredients list is SO important because it tells you about the quality of the food your eating instead of focusing on the quantity.

I have a challenge for you and that's to start exploring your own cupboard. Look at the packaged food products you have on your shelves at home and start to get familiar with reading the ingredients list and ask yourself the following 5 questions.

5 Key Questions to Consider When Reading Food Labels

• How many ingredients are listed? 5 or less? More than 10? More than 15?

  • Less is always better

• Can you pronounce all of the ingredients that are listed?

  • If you can't read them, it's best to avoid them

• Do the ingredients come from whole foods? Are they organic?

  • Quality matters

• Are the words 'natural flavours' in the ingredient list?

  • If yes, it's actually a vague term that really doesn't tell us anything about what's actually in the product and it likely wasn't sourced from nature

• Are there any of the following seed oils in the first 3 ingredients listed?

  • Sunflower oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, modified palm oil, soybean oil, canola oil, safflower oil, soy lecithin

  • Remember, the first 3 ingredients listed is what the company used the most of to make the food product - the first 3 ingredients make up the largest part of what you're eating

After considering these 5 key questions when it comes to the foods in the inner aisles of the grocery store will help you gain greater clarity, allows you to read labels confidently and make informed choices.

I’d love to know which products you’ve swapped for healthier alternatives!