Do you find yourself stuck in a rut when it comes to your weekly grocery shopping? Eating the same foods over and over can be a total bore for you both physically as well as emotionally. I’ve got some easy shopping tips to beat food fatigue that will empower you to refresh your grocery game and help banish boredom for good.
The Power of Smart Shopping Swaps
Ever feel like you’re on autopilot in the grocery store? Write the same four vegetables down, grab the same rotisserie chicken you always grab from the deli counter, bypass the chocolate aisle because it's a "danger zone" to you and your willpower after 8pm- you’re not alone.
Many people find themselves reaching for the same ingredients week after week, resulting in uninspired meals and doom-scrolling through Deliveroo instead. The key to overcoming this? Switching it up. By diversifying your shopping list and trying new things, you can supercharge your meals with variety and keep things interesting. Below you'll find some easy shopping tips to beat food fatigue and leave delivery in the dust.
Top Nutrition Tips for ANY Wellness Goal
Before we dive into the shopping strategies, let’s highlight some of the go-to nutrition tips that will not only keep you healthy but also feeling your best. The goal is to nourish your body, and colour your plate, with foods that make you feel good physically and emotionally.
These are the basic tips I share with every client on my roster who needs to become the high performer that he/ she/ they is expected to be- new mums, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and educators alike:
Colour your plate- the more colourfully- diverse your plate is, the more appealing your meal physically looks, which is a magic trick when you’re trying to make more nutrient dense choices become regular.
Eating seasonally- Buying in-season produce increases (note: not synonymous with “guarantees”) the chances of consuming fruits and veggiesthat are more nutrient diverse.
ID your biggest challenge- Before you head into preparing a meal or two for the week, identify which meal is always the most challenging, and prioritize prepping that one.
Cook once, eat twice- Rather than overwhelming yourself by doing a full meal prep for the week, double up on dinner portions to have leftovers for the next day’s lunch/ dinner.
Easy Grocery Shopping Strategies
Now, let’s tackle the part you're here for; the no- brainer strategy that will change your grocery store experience as you bid adieu to food fatigue.
1. Grains- shop ONE
Having one neutral grain to be part of the foundation of your meals can ensure that you're getting enough fibre, copper, zinc, iron, and phytochemicals to support your energy levels and immunity week on week. Put one of these on your list:
brown rice
quinoa
cous cous
whole wheat pasta/ breads/ wraps
2. Starchy veggies- shop TWO
Starchy vegetables are slower to break down into glucose for energy usage, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent a "crash and burn" mid afternoon that leaves you reaching for coffee #4 and a candy bar. Put two of these on your list:
potatoes (any variety)
corn
peas
parsnip/ butternut squash
3. Proteins- shop THREE
You know well by now that protein is the foundation that builds your muscle tissue. Adequate protein intake also supports your bones better, increases your rate of metabolism (very helpful when you have a weight loss goal), and helps you age better through the regeneration of your body's cells. Put three of these on your list:
poultry products such as rotisserie chicken and eggs
dairy products such as natural or Greek strained yogurt and cheese
lean beef products such as beef mince
plant- based protein sources such as tempeh and tofu
fish such as salmon, hake, and shellfish
4. Produce- shop FOUR
Don’t settle for the same old fruits and veggies. Get adventurous and pick one or two new items each week. Whether it’s dragon fruit, jicama, or rainbow chard, exploring new produce will keep your meals exciting and packed with nutrients. Having diversity in your produce can also support a more diverse gut flora which impacts everything from emotional health to regularly- timed toilet trips. Put four of these on your list:
green foods such as kale, spring mix, or courgettes
purple foods such as red cabbage, beetroot, blueberries, plums, and aubergine
yellow/ orange foods such as carrots, yellow bell peppers, peaches, and clementimes
red foods such as cherries, red apples, and tomatoes
white foods such as mushrooms, jicama, coconut, and swede
Go forth and conquer
With these easy shopping tips and nutrition insights, you’ll not only fight food fatigue but also refresh your passion for grocery shopping. The key is to make small swaps that don't encourage you to step into the grocery store with confidence- not overwhelm you and leave you searching for the quickest escape route.
I’m giving you a digest-able recipe eBook with my top time saving, food freedom tips to make any food shop and meal time more enjoyable as a creative who doesn't have the time or patience to make it happen. Simply click on the image below to grab your copy now.
Comments