Grocery Shopping in a Low Carb Weight Loss Mood

Once you’ve committed to a low-carb weight loss program, chances are you’ve followed the most relevant diet suggestions, cleared your pantry and fridge of all those unpalatable foods that could lure you back into the old ways. . When you’re done with this process, there will come a time when you realize it’s time to start shopping for replacement food and drink. To be successful, you need to go grocery shopping with a low carb weight loss state of mind. That means a firm understanding of the foods and beverages that complement your diet, menus that will encourage compliance with great taste and presentation, and a view of your grocery store aisles from a new perspective.

There are many books and DVDs available that address the first two points. In fact, you’ll find a wonderful variety of menus that rival the best restaurants you like to visit. Also, what’s wrong with beef, chicken, and seafood, right? So go out and buy yourself one of the many cookbooks. It will be fun and extremely useful. Just keep in mind that each phase of your program may limit certain foods or the amount you eat, so reread a few chapters of your diet book if necessary to make sure you’re compliant with each phase. Also, learn about acceptable alternatives to unacceptable foods. You’ll find that a low-carb experience will have racked up a host of replacement foods and cooking methods. A great example is turning spaghetti squash into mashed potatoes. Delicious and looks exactly the same. Don’t forget the butter, right!

Now for the trip to the grocery store, we need to plan ahead. Choose your menus for the week, detail the necessary ingredients and be clear about your commitment not to buy on impulse. Having a list is like having a GPS on a trip, the list will tell you where to go in the grocery store, what items to choose, and when it’s time to go. It will also put you in the right frame of mind. As you review your menus and food list, you’ll realize that this week will be full of food adventures. Dinners without bread but with lots of meat and butter! Breakfasts minus your favorite boxed cereal, but eggs and bacon look great.

You’re already starting to feel good about this. Maybe you really can do this. Not only can you do this, but you’re going to be eating pretty well.

How is your mood now?

Ok, let’s go to the grocery store. This trip is different from all the others. Gone are the obligatory visits to the island of bread. The frequent opening and closing of the refrigerated doors of the packaged frozen section also disappear. But hello fresh produce department, how do you do the beef, chicken and pork sections and watch out for the dairy?

Look at the store differently now. Stay on the outer periphery of the building. You will find that most of the fresh foods, generally acceptable for a low carb weight loss program, are found in these sections. Going into the central islands of the store should increase your resistance genes, as there is actually temptation, deception and just plain “trash”. I say cheating because in these areas low-fat, low-carb, and sugar-free don’t necessarily match your definition of the terms. Read each label carefully and you’ll quickly see what I mean.

Take advantage of the ‘carry-out’ areas of the grocery store that are becoming so popular these days, but don’t be seduced by looks and smell alone. Many of these areas are run by actual chefs. Take the time to strike up a conversation. Find out about the ingredients used in each dish that interests you. Make sure they stick to your diet. If so, they make a great, grab-and-go meal for the busy, low-carb meal.

Grocery shopping in a low carb weight loss state of mind isn’t very complicated and can be very enjoyable. This is especially true when you do it in that new red number that just happens to be 3 sizes smaller than the last time you bought bread.