Grocery Shopping While Hungry

It seems like the rule for healthy eating is to stay clear of the middle aisle (only venture in there on occasion) while grocery shopping. ​

I’ve seen it so many times, but it is sooo hard to actually do when it is Tuesday night, I’m hungry, and there is nothing to eat in the house. My first thought is always, “I’ll just run to the grocery store and make some pasta”. It wasn’t until recently that I realized while my intentions were innocent ‘pasta night’ usually turned into two or three pasta days AND nights. Pasta was starting to take over my world and adding extra ‘junk in the trunk’ that is NOT needed.

I know that we aren’t supposed to grocery shop while hungry---but honestly, that is unlikely for most of us. I personally tend to grocery shop out of necessity instead of out of habit. So, for those days that I head into a Wegmans, Kroger, or Star Market on an empty stomach I try (we all know that no one is perfect) to follow these simple rules:

1. ​Decide what to cook before heading into the store – I try to keep the items fresh so I don’t venture into the isles
2. Create a list of the ingredients needed for the meal
3. Set a deadline for when you need to be out of the store - (by racing against the clock it becomes a game and I usually have less time to buy extra things)
4. Allow yourself a ‘cheat’ item (wine, fruit, juice, or dark chocolate) if there isn’t already some at home
5. Proceed to self-checkout- there are fewer impulse buys here (candy, gossip mags, etc)

I’m not saying that these tips will work for everyone, but I have found them useful especially on Thursday nights when I am racing against the clock to cook dinner and be prepared for #TGIT.

---