Let’s face it: life gets hectic. As a parent, juggling mealtime for your kids can be a challenge in itself, let alone carving out a moment to nourish yourself. There are days when you might find yourself so absorbed in feeding your little ones that you completely forget to eat. Sound familiar?
Just last month, I made the classic mistake of heading to the grocery store on an empty stomach. At the time, I thought it was no big deal. After all, I was busy managing snack negotiations with my toddlers and somehow overlooked my own hunger. As a self-proclaimed food lover, that’s pretty shocking!
Upon entering the store, my stomach and mind soon reminded me of my oversight. By the time I exited, my cart was filled with everything on my shopping list—and a whole lot more. I had unwittingly added chips, cookies, and sugary cereals to my haul. I tried to convince myself that these would be occasional treats for the kids (yeah, right).
To add to my shopping misadventure, I found myself stopping at every food sample station, consuming more calories than I probably should have. In my mind, I was being polite—who wants to turn down free food, right?
While managing a regular family dinner can feel like a dream with active toddlers, I should at least have some control over what goes into my cart. A recent study suggests that my shopping spree could have been avoided simply by eating a healthy snack before heading out. Surprisingly, munching on a piece of fruit, like an apple or banana, could have encouraged me to buy more fresh produce for my family.
In this study, led by researchers from Cornell University, 120 participants were divided into three groups. One group received an apple, another a cookie, and the last one nothing at all before shopping. Results showed that those who enjoyed the apple bought 25 percent more fruits and vegetables compared to those who went in on an empty stomach.
A small, healthy snack before shopping can shift your mindset towards better choices, explains researcher Mia Johnson. Not only does it help curb your hunger, but it also prompts you to prioritize nutritious items while shopping. Experts suggest that grocery stores should take advantage of these findings by offering free samples of fruits and vegetables as shoppers enter.
Now that’s a sampling session I can get behind!
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In summary, snacking before grocery shopping not only helps control hunger but can also lead to healthier shopping decisions. So next time you hit the store, grab a piece of fruit first!
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