If you’re new to clean eating, here are some tips on how to attack grocery shopping.
Since Kellen and I implemented clean eating a few years ago, we’ve really come to embrace shopping for fresh foods. Of course we aren’t compliant 100% of the time, and we still have days where we want some pasta or pizza, but most of the foods in our diet live in our freezer and fridge. Now, Little A is a different story. But that’s a whole other post.
Implementing a clean eating lifestyle can feel overwhelming at first. Especially when you have little ones that make running to the store almost impossible some days. So having some kid tested and approved items on hand can make those rushed evenings go a bit smoother.
If you haven’t read my first post on how to eat clean, be sure to read that first.
My favorite thing about clean eating is that you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make a meal. Sometimes less is more. So don’t feel like you have to have 40 different veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and spices on hand at all times just to create one or two meals.
Remember tip number 5 from my how to eat clean post and try to stick to the outside of the store. Except for spices and some other clean pantry items, everything in your cart should come from 3 walls of the grocery store (steer clear of the bakery section). 🙂
Here are some of my favorite clean eating foods. This list is by no means 100% inclusive of everything you could eat, it’s just what we usually buy at the store and/or farmer’s market.
Produce // The bulk of your shopping trip should consist of food from the produce section. Fresh fruits and vegetables are key to planning healthy, clean, whole food meals for you and your family. Try to shop for in season produce as much as possible. Frozen veggies are okay as well.
Some of our favorites are:
– Dark, leafy greens (like spinach and kale)
– Tomatoes
– Brussel Sprouts
– Sweet potatoes
– Broccoli
– Melons
-Avocado (found in the produce section, but considered a healthy fat.)
-Apples
-Berries
More on my full list available in the download
Herbs: Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your meals!
– Parsley
– Cilantro
– Garlic
-Fresh basil
Protein // Try to stick to lean protein when choosing what foods to incorporate into your clean eating lifestyle.
– Chicken breast
– Ground turkey
– Wild-caught fish and shellfish
Dairy & dairy alternatives // A lot of people who prescribe to the clean eating way of life won’t eat anything other than raw, unpasteurized dairy because pasteurization is well…processed. But we all live in the real world where raw, unpasteurized dairy is either not readily available or not in our budget. So I say that, in moderation, dairy and some dairy alternatives can be a great source of calcium and with yogurt you can get gut healthy probiotics.
– Greek yogurt
– Almond milk
More on my full list available with the download
Pantry Items // There are some clean eating items that will live in your pantry! Beans and legumes are a great source of vegetarian protein, but be cautious; they may cause some people stomach issues. Yes, some oils are good too!
Grains: Remember that white flour is one of the 3 white evils and stick to nutrient and fiber rich whole grains. Eating grains is okay for some in small amounts, but try not to make them part of every meal.
– Quinoa
– Brown rice
– Whole wheat pasta, bread and tortillas
– Oats
Beans & Legumes:
– Black, kidney, pinto, cannelini, chickpeas are all great sources of protein.
– Lentils make a great soup
Nuts & nut butters:
– Nuts: Raw almonds, cashews, walnuts and pistachios.
– Nut butters: Almond butter
Oils:
– Coconut oil
– Extra virgin olive oil
More listed on the full download
– Avocado oil
– Walnut oil
Sweetners: Use in moderation & stay away from sucralose.
– Stevia
– Pure maple syrup
– Honey
Superfoods: These are some of my favorite items to put into baked goods or easy to grab snacks.
– Goji berries
– Chia seed
– Hemp seed
– Cacao nibs and/or 85% or greater dark chocolate
Spices // Variety is the spice of life! And spices add so much great flavor to your meals. Think cayenne, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, etc. Experimenting with spices can make cooking clean much more enjoyable.
Condiments // I do not recommend you buy any pre-made condiments like salad dressings, ketchup, mayo, etc. But grab these items to make your own dressings and marinades.
– Apple Cider vinegar
– Red wine vinegar
– Rice vinegar
Snacks, drinks and foods for the kiddos // There are some prepackaged items that you can eat! Food for the kids can be tough when it comes to clean eating. But I do my best to find what my daughter will eat and then use them as a go to when she’s being picky.
– Hummus
– Lara bars
– Frozen fruit smoothies
– 100% fruit juice popsicles
More in the download
– Coffee (try to limit yourself to 1 cup a day)
If you want the full list of grocery items, they are available in the download below!
Phew! That was a big list! I hope that helps to get you started on your clean eating journey. Once you do it for a few weeks it really becomes second nature.
Question of the day: What are your favorite clean eating foods? Do you have any favorite recipes?
This is such a comprehensive list!! I definitely try to stick with all of these when making dinner! I love cooking with ground turkey and applewood turkey sausage is my favorite thing to add to stir fry’s! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Yes yes yes!! I really hope this posts helps so many!
I think people don’t realize the important of eating grass fed beef, wild caught fish, free range eggs, and chicken etc! I’m glad you pointed out that the yoke of eggs is healthy and that non-fat milk is bad!!! We only buy grass fed whole milk yogurt now and it’s delicious!! There is so much freedom not worrying about calories and just focusing on true, natural, healthy full- fat ingredients!!
I love this post! We buy very similar things
We eat clean daily, our grocery bill is crazy at times because I love local produce stands and they tend to be a bit higher, but that’s okay, because at least I know where my food is coming from. My downfall, I love to bake, a big stress reducer and well, I just like it. So I’m trying to get more away from the old fashion recipes and try to find more healthy baking alternatives or at least limit having them weekly and only for special occasions. Dairy, I think it gets a bad wrap. Moderation is the key here and I agree, forget the non-fat crap, whole milk is still better for us, even as we get older. Brain fat it is called – a good thing! This took time on your part and really good motivation for others. Our key, takes time, but always make everything from scratch. Sorry this is longer than I intended, just love talking about it.
I am right there with you Michelle. I LOVE to bake, but try not to eat much of what I bake. I mostly bring it in to work, or send it to work with my husband. It’s a big stress reducer for me as well!
This post did take a long time so thank you for appreciating that, haha! Love that we’re on the same page!
I totally agree with all of this! And yes, avoid the bakery section 🙂 Make one of Tiffany’s delicious homemade baked good recipes instead! 🙂 I recently made a red wine vinaigrette salad dressing that was delicious. How often would you say you go grocery shopping?
Great list Tiffany! I did quit buying mayo or miracle whip… instead I buy Vegenaise, which is made with grapeseed oil. I picked it up at my Uncles health food store, and we like it. Doesn’t have all the junk in it that you usually find and I can still make the kids a sandwich.
Also if you buy beans that aren’t in a can… I’ve been told that if you soak them in water overnight that it prevents people from getting gassy. I don’t know if it’s true or not, I’ve just always soaked them to be on the safe side.
Great post Tiffany!
I love your recommendations. I’m a ketchup junkie and I’ve been experimenting with making my own – bah! It’s horrible. I’ve tried two different recipes and they royally flopped. I think it’s the sugar that makes it so darn good. Maybe the third recipe will be the lucky one?!
Cooking clean is great because like you said, you don’t need as many ingredients.
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
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my favorite for the summer are the mini packs fo hummus from costco with all the veggies! Super easy and quick to grab for a snack or on the go. And with all the fresh foods out at the Farmer’s Market, there are so many delicious veggies to choose from!
This was SO helpful! Sometimes I get confused on what non-produce foods count as clean eating or not, I’m totally pinning this one! I read your other post too and I really like how you suggested just getting the dirty dozen organic. I tend to go deaf when someone is like EVERYTHING MUST BE ORGANIC. It overwhelms me or something.