Building a healthy grocery list starts with planning your meals for the week. This prevents impulse buys and ensures you have everything you need for balanced, nutritious eating.
Start with the perimeter of the store — fresh produce, dairy, and proteins. Then move to whole grains and legumes. Frozen vegetables are an excellent, affordable alternative to fresh and retain nearly all their nutrients.
Avoid the middle aisles as much as possible — that's where ultra-processed foods hide. When you do pick up packaged goods, check labels for sodium content and hidden sugars.