Navigating Healthy Choices In The Aisles

Grocery Store Tours

At Nourish to Flourish, we understand going to the grocery store can be an overwhelming experience. Just like going to an open gym and not knowing where to start, sometimes you need a little bit of coaching before you can navigate it with confidence. Now, you can pack your cart full of nutritious items with the expert advice of our registered dietitians! Grocery shopping is what we live for, and we enjoy helping our clients find foods that excite them. Contact us today to request your personalized grocery store tour. Happy shopping!

Grocery Store Tours

Why Take A Grocery Store Tour With Us

A grocery store tour with a Nourish to Flourish Dietitian offers an invaluable experience for clients looking to make healthier choices and navigate the complexities of food shopping with confidence. Our clients learn how to identify heart-healthy options, which are crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and overall well-being. The tour also includes guidance on how to read food labels, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about the products they buy. For those who often feel lost in the aisles, our coaching provides practical tips and strategies to efficiently find nutritious foods in order to make the shopping experience less overwhelming and more enjoyable.

Where To Begin

Before you even get in the car to go to your local grocery store, we recommend that you make a list. By doing so, you are less likely to pick up unnecessary items, preventing you from ending up in an aisle you don’t need to be down in the first place.

Start your shopping trip in the produce section, which is conveniently at the front of the store. You might have heard the phrase eat the rainbow, and it’s true! A general rule of thumb is that you should aim to include a variety of colors on your plate. During your grocery store tour, we will discuss with you the benefits of buying produce in season and how to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Meat Section

The meat department is where the bulk of protein comes from on your plate. At Nourish to Flourish, we teach you how to find lean cuts of meat, poultry and seafood. We will also ask you about your meat preferences, so you don’t end up buying something you don’t like! We will provide you with tips and tricks to prepare proteins that are delicious and nutritious. We also stress that sodium content is important, especially when shopping for deli meat. Our team will show you what to look for on the label so you feel confident the items you are picking up are healthy for you!

Dairy & Milk Alternatives

If you grew up watching milk commercials, you know that dairy is a great source of calcium. In modern times, we understand that dairy allergies are very common, and we are here to discuss ways to incorporate more calcium into your diet. During your grocery store tour, we will review and compare dairy and milk alternatives to help you decide the best choice. We will also discuss the nutritional benefits of each option, considering factors like added sugars, protein content and overall taste. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make choices that align with your health goals.

Center Aisles

Believe it or not, you can shop the center aisles for healthy options! You’ve probably heard buzz about shopping the perimeters, but with our expert guidance, you can pick up nutritious items to stock your pantry. During your session, we will discuss the importance of label reading and paying attention to fiber and salt content so that you can shop the center aisles knowledgeably. We will also highlight some hidden gems, like whole grains and canned goods, that can be part of a balanced diet. By the end of the tour, you’ll feel confident navigating every section of the store to make healthier choices.

What About Frozen Foods?

Fresh isn’t always best, despite what you might think! In fact, it may not be convenient or fit into your budget, and that is okay—some frozen foods are just as nutritious, according to recent research. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, frozen foods offer a cost-effective way to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. For instance, frozen berries are just as nutritious as fresh ones but come at a lower price. Moreover, using frozen foods helps reduce unnecessary food waste.

Frozen foods are at peak ripeness before they are flash frozen. That way, when you are ready to use them, you are getting the essential nutrients. In comparison, fresh foods are sometimes picked prematurely and after they sit in your refrigerator for five days, they lose some of those key nutrients. Additionally, many food manufacturers are making sure sodium is less present thanks to heart health campaigns. 

Some frozen foods may still contain high amounts of saturated fat, added sugar and salt. Our expert team of Registered Dietitians will help you select frozen items by looking at the Nutrition Facts label to discover which items to avoid.

Eating On A Budget

We know that inflation is high, and grocery store prices are unfortunately steep. We don’t want buying nutritious food to be financially stressful, and we will help you shop on a budget. We will give you tips during your grocery story tour on how to save, such as purchasing canned foods that are not high in sugar and low in sodium, buying name brand versus store brand and nutritious frozen items that won’t go bad quickly!

Schedule Your Guided Grocery Store Tour With Nourish To Flourish

We’re here to assist you with your nutritional needs, and that includes arming you with the necessary information to make healthy and informative choices about your food. If you need guidance navigating the vast array of items at the grocery store, please call (804) 592-0095 or click here to schedule a grocery store tour appointment with a registered dietitian today. Our goal is to make grocery shopping in Richmond, VA a simple, enjoyable and rewarding experience for you!

Compassionate Nutritional Counseling For Your Best Health

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