When it comes to grocery shopping, where you spend most of your time in the store can make a big difference in your health. One popular tip from nutrition experts is to “shop the perimeter” of the grocery store. This simple strategy involves focusing on the outer edges of the store, where fresh, whole foods are typically located. Here’s why this approach can benefit your health and well-being.
1. Access to Fresh, Whole Foods
The perimeter of the grocery store is where you’ll find the fresh produce, meats, dairy, and often the bakery section. These areas are stocked with minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products. By shopping the perimeter, you’re more likely to fill your cart with nutrient-dense, whole foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
2. Avoiding Processed Foods
The inner aisles of the grocery store are often where heavily processed foods are located—items that are high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, sodium, and preservatives. These foods may be convenient, but they can contribute to various health issues like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. By sticking to the perimeter, you can avoid the temptation of these less nutritious options.
3. Supporting a Balanced Diet
Shopping the perimeter encourages you to build meals around fresh ingredients, which naturally promotes a balanced diet. You’re more likely to include a variety of food groups—fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy—leading to meals that are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, and low in empty calories.
4. Encouraging Home Cooking
When you focus on fresh ingredients, you’re more inclined to prepare meals at home. Cooking at home allows you to control what goes into your food, reducing your intake of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and excess sodium. It also fosters healthier eating habits and can be a fun, creative way to explore new recipes and flavors.
5. Better for Your Budget
Whole foods, especially when purchased in their natural form, can often be more cost-effective than pre-packaged or processed items. Fresh produce, for example, is typically sold by weight, so you only pay for what you need. Additionally, fresh foods tend to be more filling, which can help reduce the need for snacks and unnecessary extras.