If you’re like me, you actually look forward to going to the grocery store and with food shopping being the big quarantivity these days, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to talk a little bit about ways to make healthier decisions while doing so.

Step 1: Go food shopping after you’ve eaten. AKA, don’t go to the supermarket hungry. You are more likely to make impulse purchases. All of the candies and snacks by the register are there for a reason.

Step 2: Go in with a plan. Planning meals ahead of time is key. You will know exactly what to put on your list and minimize the likelihood of over purchasing.

Step 3: Shop the perimeter of the supermarket. This is where fresh, whole foods lie. The closer you get towards the center, the more processed the food is. Just remember, if the food has a commercial or a cartoon character on the packaging, it is probably not the healthiest choice.

Step 4: For breads, cereals and pasta, choose products that are 100% whole wheat. Great choices for whole grains include brown rice, quinoa, barley and bulgur.

Step 5: Be mindful of the nutrition facts label with focus on the ingredients. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it is probably not the best choice.

Step 6:Don’t discount frozen vegetables and fruits. Not only are they a more affordable option but they are just as nutritious if not more than fresh produce. This is because they are frozen at their peak ripeness which in turn preserves their vitamins and minerals.