Article

Your Grocery Store Checklist

grocery store, check list, shopping Having a kitchen filled with nutritious foods is a good first step in reaching your goal to eat well. Start by creating a meal plan. Before going to the grocery store, take a look at our suggested grocery store list. 

Nutritious grocery items to add to my list

Vegetables and Fruit           

Check mark

Item

Recipe suggestion

 

Leafy green vegetables:

Romaine lettuce, bok choy, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, cabbage, spinach

Tofu Vegetable Soup

 

Orange vegetables:

Carrots, sweet potato, squash

Curried Lentils, Sweet Potato and Cauliflower
 

Other vegetables:

Sweet bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, cucumber

Broccoli, Quinoa Cheddar Bake
 

Fruit:

Berries, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, pears, apples, frozen fruits

 Yogurt Banana Split
 

Canned vegetables:

Canned tomatoes, canned corn, canned mushrooms, canned carrots. Choose lower sodium (salt) brands and rinse well.

Crowd pleasing vegetarian chili
 

Frozen vegetables and fruit:

Peas, carrots, broccoli, green beans, berries, mangos, peaches

Choose plain without any added sugar, sauces or breading.

Sweet Chili Tofu Stir-Fry

Grain Products 

Check mark

Item

Recipe suggestion

 

In the bakery section, choose whole grain versions of the following:

Sliced bread, bagels, pitas, tortillas, buns, English muffins

Colourful Layered Sandwich

 

Whole grains in the center aisles:

Whole grain pasta and noodles, brown or wild rice, oats, pot barley, quinoa

Vegetable quinoa salad
Beet and Barley Salad​
 

Packaged breakfast cereals:

Choose ones that have more than 4 grams of fibre in each serving and the lowest amount of sugar.

Protein Bars

Protein Foods

Check mark

Item

Related recipes

 

Plant-based:

Tofu, tempeh, edamame, nuts and seeds (with no salt), nut butters (with no added sugar or oil), dried lentils and beans, canned lentils and beans (choose lower sodium brands and rinse well), plant-based fortified beverages like soy beverage

Quinoa and lentil pilaf

Easy Red Lentil Dahl

 

Fish:

Salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, haddock

Lower sodium canned tuna and salmon

Tea poached salmon with fruit salsa

Tandoori haddock

  Eggs Egg Bhurji
     
 

Unprocessed plain meats:

Beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, pork

Cauliflower and Lamb Chop Curry

Vermicelli with Broccoli and Grilled Beef

  Milk (skim, 1%, 2%), yogurt, kefir, cheese, skim milk powder Apple Blueberry Smoothie

Herbs, spices, fats and oils

Check mark

Item

More information

 

Herbs:

Basil, bay leaf, cilantro, lemongrass, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme

How to cook with herbs

 

Spices:

Cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, turmeric

How to cook with spices
 

Fats and oils:

Canola, corn, flaxseed, olive, peanut, soybean, sunflower, non-hydrogenated soft margarine, low fat salad dressing and mayonnaise

Facts on fats

How can a dietitian help?

Dietitians can support you with menu planning throughout many phases of your life from pregnancy to eating well when you are older. Counselling sessions with a dietitian can also help you to prevent and treat health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Your dietitian will work with you to give you personalized nutrition advice that meets your lifestyle and goals. Connect with a dietitian today! 

Bottom line

A little bit of planning goes a long way to helping you eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Start with a few small changes each week using this checklist as a guide. 

You may also be interested in:

My Menu Planner
Understanding Food Labels in Canada
Top 5 Reasons to See a Dietitian
 
This article was written and reviewed by dietitians from Dietitians of Canada. The advice in this article is intended as general information and should not replace advice given by your dietitian or healthcare provider. 
 

Last Update – June 14, 2022

Phone Icon

Dietitians look beyond fads to deliver reliable, life-changing advice. Want to unlock the potential of food? Connect with a dietitian.