Healthier Grocery Shopping [01.11.12]

 

So here's the deal .. if you have food cravings for bad things like i do (i.e.: chips, cookies, ice cream, soda, etc), it's good to find healthier alternatives to those things if you're trying to eat better. There are a ton of things out there on the market now for things that are much healthier alternatives to your favorite things. The grocery trip i did yesterday is a perfect example of that. My main goal when it comes to my "diet" is to incorporate things that are better for you: soymilk, fresh veggies, fresh fruit, fiber, etc. Because i personally have a tendency to eat a lotta crap i shouldn't. Chips and fried food are seriously my worst enemies, but they are sooooo good. :) You gotta know the way you eat and turn it into a healthier version of that.

For example .. make a small list of all the things you crave the most:

For me, this is: 

• Chips
• Fried food
• Cookies
• Ice Cream
• Specialty coffee
• Pasta
• Rice

With this list, i can conclude that i basically like anything with a crunch, crisp, or creamy texture to it. Texture-wise, that's what i'm into. ;) So now i have to think of what i can replace these things with so i can still satisfy my craving, but with something better for my body. So here's what i'm doing to switch it up so that i still get the satisfaction of my craving, but in a healthier way:

• Chips -> Special K chips, Pop chips, Pita chips
• Fried food -> BAKE IT! ;)
• Cookies -> TLC Cookies, Kashi Cookies, Nabisco 100 cal packs
• Ice Cream -> Skinny Cow, Healthy Choice Fudge Bars, Haagen Dazs "Five"
• Specialty coffee -> "Skinny" Mochas/Lattes, Coffee w/ Fat Free or Sugar Free creamer
• Pasta -> Whole Wheat, Whole Grain or PLUS pasta
• Rice -> Brown rice

Basically you're switching out your bad stuff for good stuff. It's like eating a better version of your favorite things. So you'll still get to indulge, but you must learn portion control and search for healthier alternatives to your favorite things. You should also shop based on your lifestyle. For me, i'm an on-the-go kind of girl. I tend to forget to eat sometimes, which causes me to scarf more than i need to when i finally DO eat -- for this, i got some protein shakes so at least i can "drink" my meal since i can't seem to find time to "eat" it. I also need snack bars to keep me full while i'm running around, snacks when i'm chillin at home watching TV, breakfast food (because i always skip breakfast and that messes up the rest of my meals for the day), and something to drink other than water since i can't have soda. LOL.

This week's grocery trip included:

• Haagen Dazs "Five" ice cream (1 pint)
• Special K Protein Shakes (4 ct)
• Light Caesar Dressing
• Light Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette
• Silk Light soymilk
• International House "Skinny White Chocolate Mocha" coffee creamer
• Fiber One 90cal bars
• Kashi GoLean CRUNCH cereal
• Abundance real fruit oatmeal
• Barilla Whole Grain Penne pasta
• Special K crisps
• Chips Ahoy 100 cal packs
• Crystal Light packets
• Lipton iced tea packets
• TLC cookies
• Chobani Greek Yogurt

All together i spent about $50, which included a coupon for at least 85% of the items. :) Yay. Usually healthier food costs more, but i lucked out. :) Gotta love shopping at Target! $50 may seem like a lot to you, but you're looking at like, 2 weeks worth of food here. At least for me. :) The boyfriend is still eating whatever he wants, LOL. He'll just have to fend for himself then! ;)

What's on your grocery list this week?

Stay Thick!
xoxo, Thick Chick