How to Prevent Impulse Grocery Shopping

First – Our Meeting

At the September 10 meeting of Imperial TOPS NE0267, Barb was the best loser for the week. Shirley won the Ha-Ha drawing. This month’s challenges: 1) Measure food portions, and 2) Keep a food journal.

The TOPS area fall rally will be in Ogallala on Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Next year’s State Recognition Days are in Grand Island on April 1 and 2. Karen will provide dessert and Lorna will provide salad for the Community Center dinner on September 13.

Program – Impulse Shopping

Diann’s program was titled “Are You Shopping under the Influence?” – tips for knowing how to overcome stressful situations that might cause you to buy on impulse at the grocery store.

Her program came from the May 2015 issue of Health.com, in an article by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. Here’s a brief summary of the situations that might cause you to buy nutrition-deficient foods on impulse at the grocery store, and your “in-store strategy.”

Situation 1: Thanks to an unflattering photo, you’re feeling fat, and decide it doesn’t make any difference, you might as well eat what you want. Strategy: To take away the focus on the negative aspects of your body, focus on the things it does well: dance, finish a workout, hug people you love. Or listen to a feel-good song.

Situation 2: Since you’ve exercised, you feel you’re entitled to a rich dessert. Strategy: Figure out the number of calories you burned – and eat a treat that’s up to half those calories – but only on the days you’ve exercised.

Situation 3: You buy junk food because your family loves it. Only problem is, you’ll also eat it. Strategy: Buy just one favorite snack at a time, and balance it out with healthier fruit or vegie snacks.

Situation 4: You’re having a bad day and need comfort food. Strategy: Promise yourself a non-food treat – a new book, a facial – something you can look forward to besides comfort food.

Situation 5: Life is boring, and you feel the need for the excitement of a new food. Strategy: Look for healthier exotic fare, like a fruit you’ve never tried or an interesting grain, like quinoa.

Join Us!

TOPS Club meets from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Imperial Community Center, with weigh-ins beginning at 8:30. The first meeting is free. Find out more at www.TOPS.org.