Fresh and Natural Grocery Shopping - My Experience and Suggestions

A Fresh Shopping Experience 

Yesterday was my first shopping trip with the intention to purchase food as fresh and natural as I could for my 28 day eat clean challenge.






My Guidelines:

I can understand these wholesome words!

1. Purchase packaged products with 5 ingredients or less on the ingredient list. 
2. Purchase packaged products with recognizable words in the ingredient list. Looking at the label to the right, there are more than 5 ingredients but the ingredients are all recognizable real foods.
3. Purchase lean meats, fresh fruits/vegetables, whole grains, no saturated or trans fats
4. Purchase foods that compliment what already "clean" foods I have in my cabinet



The Results:
First of all, I would like to say, It is VERY challenging to go to a grocery store and shop "clean."  Even going to the "natural and healthy" foods section gets tricky.  I am a super food nerd and could read labels and window shop for hours so I enjoyed the challenge, but that is exactly what this is,
at first, a challenge.  The first couple times you need to practice :).  It will start to feel much better.  I also would like to note I did NOT go to a super health store.  I went to my local Kroger grocery store. In my last post I stated I wanted to stay within my usual weekly budget of between $30-110.  I am happy to say I was successful with a total spending amount of $45.85 for 1 week of groceries. (I did not include my fiance's cinnamon toast crunch cereal or peanut butter crackers in this total)


My Purchases
1 Bunch of Kale                     $0.76
Carton of Large Eggs             $2.00
Ginger Vinagerette Dressing  $2.79
Mary's Gone Crackers            $3.99
Edamame, Dry Roasted          $1.79
Russet Potato                          $0.33
Sweet Potato                           $0.72
Jacks Garden Fresh Salsa       $3.00
2 pints, blackberries                $5.00
Strawberries                            $2.50
1 Green Bell Pepper               $0.59
Nasoya Spinach Garlic Super Hummus $3.29
1 Gallon Skim Milk                $2.49
3 Organic Chicken Breasts     $7.43
3 Purdue Chicken Breasts      $5.58
Package Frozen Brussel Sprouts $1.00
Package frozen mukimame    $2.59
Total                                       $45.85


My Suggestions:
1. Go to the store with a grocery list and plan to stick to it.
2. Find foods that meet your "guidelines" (read above to compare to mine) as well as your grocery list needs.
3. Do not be afraid to check ALL areas of the store.  Produce, frozen, dry goods, meat counter, meat cooler, deli counter etc.
**I was surprised to find that some of the more "true to their roots" and natural options came from various other areas of the store**


My FAVORITE Purchase of the Day

Mary's Gone Crackers - Original  (These were on sale for 2.79 but I marked the normal price up in my purchases)
                +
Nasoya Super Hummus - Spinach Garlic 
                =
        AMAZING