Does this sound like you? You go to the grocery store; you buy fresh broccoli, tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, and apples. Instead of frozen entrees you purchase chicken breasts and steaks fresh from the deli. You think, wow I’m doing great look at all the healthy food I’m buying. You’re really proud of yourself. Then 2 weeks later before going to the grocery you clean out the refrigerator to see what you need. You throw out what use to be fresh broccoli, tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, and apples. You realize the fresh meat you bought is still in the freezer where it was put two days after you bought it because you never cooked it. You go to the store and the cycle continues. Hmm? What happened?
We see patients who admit, “You know I buy this all natural sweetener, like Stevia, but right above it in my cupboard is the ‘blue packets’ so I always grab that.” Just like the sweetener, she buys all the right things, but then doesn’t eat them. You need to remember, food is only nutritious once you’ve eaten it. What you put in your cart may look good to everyone around you, but if in two weeks it’s spoiled and stinking up the refrigerator, it’s nothing more than money down the drain.
What should you do? Planning your meals is the only way to really save money and eat a healthier diet. Do not buy fresh food then go home and make a frozen pizza! We know that is the tough part, but believe me, there are ways to do it. Have a plan for what you’re going to do with all this healthy, nutritious food you’re buying. Then you have to follow through. You wouldn’t believe the little tips we come up with for patients that work wonders! So, get your grocery list together and if you can’t come up with a plan that works, enlist some help from us! You’ll not only save calories, you’ll save money.
