An Introduction to Perimeter Shopping
Perimeter shopping refers to the process of staying on the "perimeter" of the grocery store while shopping for your family's food.
Perimeter shopping was first brought to light in Michael Pollan's book, In Defense of Food.
The idea behind perimeter shopping is that the perimeter of the grocery store tends to be where the "real" food is located- the produce, fresh vegetables, fish, meat, poultry, dairy and baked goods.
On the other hand, the processed stuff- the crackers, cereals, dressings, frozen foods and an endless list of "ready to serve" items, tends to be found in the aisles and on the shelves.
In fact, the term "shelf life" refers to the amount of time these processed items can last on the supermarket shelf (forever in many cases).
When you stay on the perimeter of the store, you'll find that you end up eating a healthier and more nutritious diet.
You are now eating real food- filled with vitamins and nutrients straight from nature, not imitation fare created both to last forever on the shelf and to satisfy our society's cravings for fat, sugar and salt.
You'll also find that when you stay on the perimeter, you are not tempted by all of the branding, marketing and shelf placement designed to tempt you into trying the latest food replacement- out of sight, out of mind.
Perimeter shopping does have some drawbacks, however.
You will probably end up spending a little more money when you perimeter shop, particularly if you buy locally grown produce and vegetables whenever possible- something both Pollan and nutritionists recommend.
The reason for this is that local farms simply cannot compete with the ability of the large food processors to deliver affordable packaged goods to the supermarket.
After all, the farmer's product can spoil, while the processed food can't- a huge advantage for the processors.
You also will find yourself shopping more often when you stick to the perimeter.
Fresh produce and vegetables simply do not have the shelf life- both in the store and in your home- as the processed goods.
However, when you look at the real costs and benefits of your diet- including your long-term health and well-being, you undoubtedly will come to the same conclusion as me- perimeter shopping is a more affordable, healthy and fun alternative to "aisle shopping".
Perimeter shopping was first brought to light in Michael Pollan's book, In Defense of Food.
The idea behind perimeter shopping is that the perimeter of the grocery store tends to be where the "real" food is located- the produce, fresh vegetables, fish, meat, poultry, dairy and baked goods.
On the other hand, the processed stuff- the crackers, cereals, dressings, frozen foods and an endless list of "ready to serve" items, tends to be found in the aisles and on the shelves.
In fact, the term "shelf life" refers to the amount of time these processed items can last on the supermarket shelf (forever in many cases).
When you stay on the perimeter of the store, you'll find that you end up eating a healthier and more nutritious diet.
You are now eating real food- filled with vitamins and nutrients straight from nature, not imitation fare created both to last forever on the shelf and to satisfy our society's cravings for fat, sugar and salt.
You'll also find that when you stay on the perimeter, you are not tempted by all of the branding, marketing and shelf placement designed to tempt you into trying the latest food replacement- out of sight, out of mind.
Perimeter shopping does have some drawbacks, however.
You will probably end up spending a little more money when you perimeter shop, particularly if you buy locally grown produce and vegetables whenever possible- something both Pollan and nutritionists recommend.
The reason for this is that local farms simply cannot compete with the ability of the large food processors to deliver affordable packaged goods to the supermarket.
After all, the farmer's product can spoil, while the processed food can't- a huge advantage for the processors.
You also will find yourself shopping more often when you stick to the perimeter.
Fresh produce and vegetables simply do not have the shelf life- both in the store and in your home- as the processed goods.
However, when you look at the real costs and benefits of your diet- including your long-term health and well-being, you undoubtedly will come to the same conclusion as me- perimeter shopping is a more affordable, healthy and fun alternative to "aisle shopping".
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