Weekly trips to the grocery store can either be our waistline’s best friend or worst enemy. Sweets, chips and ice cream aisles taunt us as we wander the store, trying to ignore their calls. How do we kick these unhealthy foods to the curb on our weekly ventures to the food store?

The perimeter of the grocery store contains all the necessary nutrition your body needs to stay healthy. The middle aisles contain all the processed foods that aren’t vital to your healthy diet.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, and stay away from the candy aisle, make your way to the produce section and pick up some fresh, sweet and delicious fruit. Also, picking up some low-fat chocolate milk can help wash away your most severe chocolate cravings. Instead of wandering through the ice cream aisle, go to the dairy aisle to pick up some non-fat yogurt with granola and fruit.

As silly as it may sound, never go to the grocery store while hungry. It is best to go after you’ve had a healthy meal or small snack. The hungrier you are, the more items you’ll throw in your cart that you don’t need. These items will most likely be unhealthy junk foods that your body craves when it’s hungry.

Make a list of the food items you need, and try to stick to those things. Having a list will keep you organized and help your mind not wander to the unhealthy foods you might want.

Finally, go to the store with a friend who can help you stick to your list and the perimeter of the grocery store. Make it a weekly adventure to help your waistline stay fit and happy this fall.