Do you struggle with enjoying grocery shopping each week? Today I have 5 secrets for making grocery shopping easier for those of you who are looking to create a healthier lifestyle in your home.

The grocery store can be overwhelming and unhealthy, processed foods can easily creep their way in to your cart if you don’t have a plan in place. I have put together 5 secrets for you to not only make grocery shopping easier, but to help you stay on track with your healthy lifestyle goals as well.

Plan Your Meals Using Mealime

First secret is to plan your meals using the Mealime app. If you are someone who mindlessly walks the grocery store without a real plan in place OR if you feel overwhelmed by Pinterest recipe scrolling, this secret is totally for you.

Mealime allows you to choose recipes based on lifestyle preferences (dairy-free, vegetarian, low carb, etc.), you can adjust your portion sizes, and it populates a grocery list based off of the recipes you choose.

It is so simple! I have been using Mealime for almost 2 years and discovered it when our meal subscription service was putting a big dent in our food budget. I walk you through how to use this app in my post about meal subscriptions here.

Use the App Wunderlist

The second secret is to use an app on your phone called Wunderlist. If you follow me on Instagram, you hear me talk about this app often. It is where I keep ALL of my lists. Not only do I keep my daily and weekly to do lists in the app, but I keep a list for Spouts, Target and Costco. I also share the list with my husband and he has the ability to add things to it from his phone.

Wunderlist is helpful for keeping a list of the things that you run out of at home. When something runs out, we add it to the list for the next visit. This drastically cuts down on my mindless strolling in the grocery store. I am able to see EXACTLY what I need and avoid putting things I DON’T need in my cart.

Don’t go Hungry

The third secret isn’t really a secret, unless you have been living under a rock your whole life. However, the idea of not going to the grocery store is genius, if you ACTUALLY do it.

How many times have you been to the grocery store while hungry and 15 different “you really don’t need that” items end up in your cart.

When you are hungry, you will tend to buy things you don’t need. So make a conscious effort to eat a meal or eat a snack before you head in to the grocery store.

Shop the Produce First

I love to shop produce first! In the produce section you can get the bulk of your foods for the week. I look at my apps, Mealime and Wunderlist, and decide what I will need out of the produce department.

For snacks I stock up on in-season fruits, especially apples and bananas. Depending on who will be eating them, I make sure I have enough for each day of the week. Other vegetables like cucumbers, sweet peppers, and carrots also make great snacks.

Shop Local Farmer’s Markets

So I know the secrets were supposed to be about making GROCERY SHOPPING easier, but the Farmer’s Market is an excellent place to get groceries without having to visit the store.

For me, as we make healthy lifestyle eating a priority, the Farmer’s Market helps keep me on track. I am not bombarded nor tempted by the processed foods I know my body doesn’t need to thrive.

The Farmer’s Market not only offers local, in season proceed, but it is a great place to find and try something new. Take a peak at the website Local Harvest to see if there is a weekly Farmer’s Market near you.

What are your biggest struggles?

Does grocery shopping make you feel overwhelmed or like you have no control over your buying choices? The temptation in the grocery store can be difficult to navigate through. I hope these tips were helpful for you to create a plan before tackling your next grocery store trip.

If you are still struggling with knowing what to eat to feel better or wanting support when it comes to navigating a healthy lifestyle, you may enjoy one of my commitment groups I host monthly. If you are curious, let’s chat and go through the details.

You can email me blossoming.motherhood@gmail.com or fill out this form and I will reach out to you!