Weight loss:how to shop without sabotaging your silhouette

Although targeted advertising plays a predominant part in our predisposition to piling on the pounds, shopping for food doesn't have to sabotage our silhouette.

In order to ensure that the weekly shop doesn't widen your waistline, here are our top three tips for reducing the risk of reaching for the wrong food (and fluid!) sources when shopping...

1.Never shop on an empty stomach.
Although the satisfying smell of freshly baked bread may tempt us towards the tasty treats in the bakery, it can also trigger the temptation to splash the cash on sugary food sources when we shop with a reoccurring rumble (the sensory stimulation that stems from supermarket bakeries is renowned for reinforcing the urge to splurge on sugary sweet treats - an action that we're more susceptible to when we've skipped a meal/s). By ensuring that our stomach is satisfied before entering a supermarket environment, we'll not only reduce our risk of making poor food choices and indulgent impulse buys, but we're also less likely to be tempted by the tasty treats that tighten our trousers.

2.Swap cards for cash.
As convenient as it may be to pay by card, this speedy piece of plastic can leave us prone to purchasing the processed products that pile on the pounds - a reason why withdrawing the exact amount of money that's required to purchase the foods and fluids on our shopping list can oust the opportunity to buy any energy dense extras.

3.Be aware of advertising.
Food manufacturers' may be manipulative and misleading, but supermarkets' are equally as sneaky in the sense that they purposely position, pair and promote unhealthy foods and fluids - think crisps opposite confectionery, special offers on sugary snacks and that bargain birthday cake! Although targeted advertising is tough to avoid, being aware of manipulative marketing, 'money saving' multipacks (if we buy them, we will binge on them!) and misleading claims can all reduce the risk of purchasing the unhealthy (and unnecessary!) products that weaken our willpower and widen our waistline.

Final thought: learning to analyse nutritional labels is paramount for the prevention of purchasing seemingly sensible food (and fluid) sources - particularly as many manufacturers' are prone to promoting their products with cleaver health claims such as low-fat, natural and no added sugar. As difficult as it may be to determine if a food or fluid is a 'healthier' alternative, remembering that ingredients are listed in a descending order of content i.e.a product that states sugar as its second ingredient will mostly be made from the sweet stuff, is a substantial step in the right direction.

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