How I Stopped Stressing Out About Grocery Shopping

Inside: Has grocery shopping become full of stress and worry? It was for me too. Here’s how I learned to relax.

I asked a question about grocery shopping on my Real Mom Nutrition Facebook page one day, and a friend chimed in with this woe:

I dread juggling priorities at the grocery store: locally sourced, organic, responsible packaging — not to mention healthy. Shopping has become, I confess, a nightmare of neurosis for me!”

I can relate. 

I used to wheel my cart down the aisle while competing worries swirled in my head: Is it organic? Natural? Sustainable? GMO-free? Fair-trade? Local? Seasonal? Can I afford it? Will anyone actually eat it?

I’d fall into a shame spiral of inadequacy and uncertainty.

Eventually, I got tired of putting so much pressure on myself. I got tired of feeling like my cart had to look a certain way or that I had to spend beyond my means to “get it right”.

So I decided to accept these five truths and get on with my life–and my food shopping:

Truth #1: I have a budget. 

I spend more on the things I’m prioritizing right now (such as bulk local meat) and less on things I’m not (like spices, butter, and oats). I also reserve the right to change these priorities at any time. 

And some weeks, when there’s a car repair or steep credit card bill, I feel the pinch more and buy fewer higher-priced items. I won’t let those budget constraints make me feel like a bad mom.

Truth #2: I don’t buy all organic.

I’ve visited both organic farms and conventional farms and talked to farmers. I’ve researched the topic of organic food for magazine stories.

The approach I settled on is actually one I picked up from a scientist I interviewed about organic food: I buy what looks the freshest and best AND that I can afford. That might mean organic berries one week and conventional the next.

Truth #3: Convenience is important to me. 

Buying some convenience foods–like pre-washed bagged greens, whole wheat tortillas and sandwich bread, and individually-wrapped frozen fish fillets–makes healthy eating (and life in general) easier.

In some cases, that means more packaging and a longer ingredient list than if I’d made those things from scratch. I read labels and ingredient lists and do the best I can. (You might also like: What I Make From Scratch)

Truth #4: The pattern of our eating is what matters. 

The overall pattern of our eating matters much more than whether something is local, organic, GMO-free, or sustainable. Here’s what I aim for in our house:

• Lots of fruits and vegetables, regardless of whether they’re organic, seasonal, local or not
• Whole grains, such as brown rice
• Heart-healthy fats, such as olive oil for cooking
• Fish regularly
• Some meatless meals each week
• Some sweets and treats, because balance is important!

Truth #5: I cannot live my life afraid that my food is toxic or poisonous. 

I’m tired of online fear mongering around food and refuse to let it rattle me. I do my own research, look at the evidence, and tune out sensational claims and headlines. Read: Why I’m Tired of “Foods You Should Never Eat” Lists

I feed myself and my family in a way I know is good for us: with fresh foods, with lots of fruits and vegetables, and with mostly home-cooked meals. Because eating nutritious foods is good for you–but stress, worry, and fear is not.

Bottom Line: These are my choices. They may not be yours. And that’s okay! We all care about our health and our families and are doing our best.