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How I Stopped Stressing Out About Grocery Shopping

February 27, 2015 by Sally
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Has grocery shopping become full of stress and worry? Here’s how I learned to relax.

Does grocery shopping stress you out? Real Mom Nutrition

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.

Table of Contents
  • I have a budget. 
  • I don't buy all organic.
  • Convenience is important to me. 
  • The pattern of our eating is what matters. 
  • I cannot live my life afraid that my food is toxic or poisonous. 

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 truths and get on with my life–and my food shopping:

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.

ALDI Products

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 like this one.

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.

What to Buy at ALDI

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)

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!
Why to Serve Family Style Meals

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.

And remember: 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.

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Category: Meal Planning + Food ShoppingTag: grocery shopping, healthy eating, label reading, organics
Previous Post: « The Rules We Eat By: 7 Healthy Habits For Our Family
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Hi! I’m Sally.

I’m a registered dietitian and mom of two, and I believe that every mom can feel successful and confident about feeding her kids, let go of the stress, and enjoy mealtime again. Read More…

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