There is certainly a battle of nutritional warfare as you and your roommates fill up your individual, red shopping carts with every sweet and salty treat from Trader Joes. As your fridge has been looking pretty vacant the past few days, you can’t help but to hunt down food items that immediately grab your attention.
Unintentionally grabbing anything but something green; that cookie butter ice cream certainly does not serve you any justice. Yet, you know the choices you must make.
You Are What You Eat, Literally!
The food we use to fuel our bodies can ultimately affect the way we feel mentally and physically on a daily basis. It can influence the ways in which we behave, how we act around our friends and can ultimately cause harm to our overall mood if we keep this up.
There’s Research … Here’s Proof.
As some of our favorite comfort foods may include ice cream, pastries, pizza and hamburgers, recent studies suggest that the sugar-laden and high-fat foods we often crave when we are stressed or depressed are the least likely to benefit our mental health. Even the Harvard Health Blog has a thing or two to say about “food psychiatry.”
Nonetheless, the best thing you can do for yourself if you are feeling this way, as uncomforting as comfort food may sound, is to fill most of your grocery cart with whole foods such as vegetables, fruit, eggs and nuts. As well as fish, beans, legumes and fermented foods like yogurt. Remember, broccoli might not be as comforting as mac and cheese, but it’s certainly better for your mind, body and mood in the long run!
How to Stray Away From Those Daunting Grocery Aisles
Navigating the grocery store aisles can be overwhelming, especially when trying to make healthier choices. Here are some tips to help you stay focused and motivated:
- Make a list before you go: Having a plan can help you stick to healthier options and avoid impulse purchases.
- Shop the perimeter: Most grocery stores place fresh produce, lean proteins and dairy along the perimeter. Stick to these areas for healthier choices.
- Read labels carefully: Pay attention to ingredient lists and nutritional information to make informed choices about what you are putting in your cart.
- Do not shop hungry: Going to the grocery store on an empty stomach can lead to impulse buying of unhealthy snacks. Eat a nutritious meal or snack before you go to help you make better choices. Remember, a satisfied stomach leads to a satisfied cart!
Consistency with Making Healthy Food Choices
Treat your body like an expensive car, hypothetically think about a car you can only dream of owning one day. Just like any high-performance vehicle, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from stress.
Unfortunately, just like an expensive car, your brain can be damaged if you ingest anything other than premium fuel. So, think of yourself as a Ferrari and fuel up with the good stuff!
With these tips and tricks, you can make healthier choices at the grocery store and fuel your body and mind with the nutrients they need to thrive.
Next time you’re tempted to reach for that pint of cookie butter ice cream, remember that your body deserves better and head straight for the produce aisle instead. Your future self will thank you!
Care to share some advice on what to put in your shopping cart? Give your thoughts by tweeting us on X @VALLEYmag!
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