4 ways to manage temptation at the supermarket

The supermarket with its dazzling lights, packed aisles and buy-one-get-one-free promotions can often be a maze of temptation for those trying to lose body fat or make healthy food choices.

This is partly because supermarkets are experts in product placement. Those stacks of chocolate bars conveniently located near the checkouts are there for a reason: to be impulse bought.

Whilst queuing to pay for your shopping it is all too easy to fall victim to the marketers’ trap and quickly add a chocolate bar to your trolley.

Before you know it you’ve added calories to your weekly shop and extra money to the pockets of the supermarket CEOs.

So the next time you do your weekly food shop, follow my tips below to rescue your healthy eating attempts and resist temptation at the supermarket:

1. Don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry

This is an extremely important one as it will go miles to ensure you stick to your healthy food choices.

Naturally when you’re hungry, you want to eat as quickly as possible.

However, this means you are more prone to impulse buying as you are more likely to choose something quick and easy to satisfy your hunger, such as the sugary chocolate bars at the checkouts.

As your mind is focused on your desire to eat, you are also more likely to buy more food than usual, which is not good for the wallet or the waistline.

Often when people shop whilst hungry, they don’t stick to their shopping list, buy things that appeal to them at the time and then get home and wish they had not bought the extra items.

To avoid impulse buying, make sure you have eaten before you go the supermarket. Even if it is only a snack, hopefully it will be enough to tame your wandering mind and keep you focused only on the items on your shopping list!

2. Make a list and stick to it!

Making a shopping list is an easy way to resist temptation at the supermarket. Before you set out to the supermarket, check your cupboards and see which items you need and don’t need and make a list.

When you’re at the supermarket, only buy the items on your list.

Simple!

3. Don’t go down aisles you don’t need to go down

Supermarket aisles are extremely well signposted in this day and age so there really is no excuse for going down aisles you don’t need to go down. If the sign doesn’t indicate that it contains an item on your shopping list, then avoid it.

Not only will this prevent impulse buying but it will probably make your shopping trip a whole lot faster!

4. Avoid the supermarket altogether

And no, I’m not suggesting going hungry; I’m suggesting online shopping.

The power of modern technology means you can resist temptation at the supermarket altogether by ordering your food shop online.

You can create a standard shopping list and easily add or delete items as necessary. Not only does online shopping save you from impulse buying extra items, it will save you the time you would usually spend at the supermarket.

Why not use the extra time you save by heading to the gym instead?!

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