I'm a Nutritionist and These are 5 Things I Would Never Buy at the Grocery Store
Are you buying things at the grocery store that are detrimental to your diet? If a health expert refuses to buy them, then the answer is probably yes. Kat Best is a holistic nutritionist, personal trainer, and online coach who takes a "no BS" approach to nutrition, fitness, and wellness. She regularly shares content to help her followers become the best version of themselves. In a recent video, she reveals a handful of items that she would never buy at the grocery store – and you might be surprised what (didn't) make the list. She also offers tips on how to make better choices while grocery shopping.
Avoid Ultra Processed Food
"I don't avoid these foods because I'm scared of them or I think they'll make me fat. I avoid these foods because they are ultra processed, highly inflammatory and I do not enjoy consuming them because I like real food, simple as that," Best says in the clip.
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Understanding Why They Aren't Good for You Is Helpful
"But for many, these products are the bulk of their shopping carts. It's actually quite easy to avoid buying these when you know: A) why they are not the most optimal B) you are aware of the hundreds of healthier alternatives that you can grab in the same store."
5 Items She Refuses to Buy
The items she refuses to buy are: Packaged baked goods, refined white flour products, bottled coffee creamers, margarine or fake butter replacements, and meat alternative products.
Tip 1: Have a Plan
She also added a "few strategies to have an easier time making healthy choices at the store." The first is having a plan before going to the store. "Pick a few proteins, vegetables, fats, fruits and starches and do not deviate from that list," Best says.
Tip 2: Shop the Perimeter of the Store
Tip 2? "Stick to the perimeter of the store and only go down the middle aisles when you know what you need to be grabbing there," Best says. "The perimeter is where fresh produce, meat, eggs and dairy live, these foods should be 80% of your grocery shop."
Tip 3: Don't Shop Hungry
"Do not grocery shop hungry," Best adds. "For some this doesn't matter, but shopping hungry may end up with a few things in your cart that wouldn't normally. Strategize your shop for after a meal or snack."
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An RDN Agrees
The Body Network consulted The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, to weigh in on her thoughts. "I think she says it nicely at the beginning. She likes 'real food' and not foods that are highly processed. All of the foods listed are highly processed and have added sugar, sodium, artificial ingredients, etc. They have been stripped of their nutritional value and don't really contribute much in the way of good nutrients," she explains. "That doesn't mean you 'can't' have them but they are definitely going to be foods that I would put as occasional rather than everyday items."
💪🔥Body Booster: Before going grocery shopping write out a list and stick to it – you are less likely to make not-so-healthy impulse buys.
