Grocery Store Snob??

carolynhart01

So no I don't judge, I try and educate people on nutrition when I can, but I lead by example for those in my life, mostly my 6 year old daughter and my husband. It starts in the home.

THIS!!!! Is Awesome

carrieous

Im guilty. I would never say anything to anyone but i can always see why someone is the size they are by what they have in their cart.

frozen dinners
low fat and no fat foods
DIET SODA- cases of it!
chips

MistressAella

I buy my meats in bulk (like 4-6 cases of chicken breast at a time. Gotta love 10% Tuesdays) and a LOT of veggies. I often get a sympathetic look and someone always comments, "Oh! Teenage boys, eh? They'll eat us out of house and home!" to which I try and reply with a straight face, "I do have a son, but he's only 6. My girls are 5 and 4. This is aaaaaaaaall me. With a little hubby thrown in for "fun". LOL.

retiree2006

Yep, that's me. What's really hard is to bite my tongue when other people feel the need to comment on my healthy choices while their cart is filled with junk. This has happened to me a few times.

I know what you mean. If my mom hadn't raised me to be polite, I'd probably reply, "Yes, mine used to look like yours before I began to lose 65 pounds." :laugh:

Actually, I don't judge them because I know exactly how it used to be to check out with lots of junk, and I was very aware of it and wasn't "proud". So I don't mind if they notice mine and even comment on it.

EmilyKingston

When I see a cart full of junk food, I am reminded how closely poor nutrition is linked with poverty. Picture a single-mom struggling to make ends meet- she doesn't have a lot of time to cook, and doesn't have a lot of knowledge about nutrition. Heck yeah she's going to buy that box of frosted puffs for $0.99 because it's quick and easy and cheap, as opposed to turkey sausage links and scrambled eggs, or Greek yogurt and fresh berries.

A study done by Adam Drenowski and SE Specter, titled Povery and Obesity: The Role of Energy Density and Energy Costs, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, ( http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/1/6.full ) found four things: "First, the highest rates of obesity occur among population groups with the highest poverty rates and the least education. Second, there is an inverse relation between energy density (MJ/kg) and energy cost ($/MJ), such that energy-dense foods composed of refined grains, added sugars, or fats may represent the lowest-cost option to the consumer. Third, the high energy density and palatability of sweets and fats are associated with higher energy intakes, at least in clinical and laboratory studies. Fourth, poverty and food insecurity are associated with lower food expenditures, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and lower-quality diets."

mumtoonegirl

I make two meals, one for my DH and I and one for my DD, a version of what we are making. She is 6 and picky and does not like spicy food and my DH and I do. She eats from all the food groups and I prep in advance. She has major textural issues with food, she is expected to try a new food a week to build her palate. She is good with her fruits and vegetables but texturally hates most meats. We find other ways of getting in her proteins.

Now that is also for our schedule, she is 6 and is hungry at 5:15, I will sit with her and work on my DH and my supper while she shares her day with me. My DH works until 6:00, so when he gets home he and I eat and our DD sits with us and talks about the rest of our day and I help her with her homework or she does a craft at the table with us.

This is how it works for our family. She is seeing us make healthy choices and makes them herself. I am celiac so my DH and I don't eat gluten but I am not going to remove that entirely from her diet. But yes the kids are told daily I am not a restaurant and will eat what is put in front of them.

Otterluv

I see a lot of posts asking how we know who they are buying it for. This one does confuse me some. Yes, my kids get applesauce and chicken nuggets occasionally and ice cream on occasion. BUT, I do all the shopping and most of the cooking. The way I see it, they eat whats for dinner. The girls are harder some days since they are 2 years old and picky but generally we all eat whats for dinner - the same menu. How does this work when everyone eats something different? Are you cooking 3 seperate meals or hubby and the kids on their own? My Mom always said she wasn't a short order cook, you eat whats for dinner...

I'm just guessing, but I suspect that your 2 yo little girls MAY be a little different than my 19 & 17 yo very active sons. Also, my husband and I go for all day hikes, we trail run, and we lift weights. If we want pop tarts & sugarlicious ice cream, we will eat it - and like it. In fact, I have a hankering for some Cocoa Pebbles, I may just zip off to the store to giggle at the judgers who don't know that you can eat treats, be healthy, and lose weight if you want to.

_Witsy_

I glance around at others carts now and then...surely make a few snap judgements but usually catch myself and stop.

I try to just review my selections and know I'm making the best selections for ME.

baileybiddles

Oh man, I'm exactly the same. I take my grandmother grocery shopping every other week. She is the QUEEN of processed, crappy food. Ice cream, cheese danish, swiss cake rolls, salty pre-packed deli meats, everything crappy you can imagine is in her cart, and she one week of food for her is THREE weeks for me. It's craziness. I look at her cart and cringe, and I do the same at strangers. It's funny to see what your cart used to look like!

bumblebums

Nah, I've always been a grocery store snob

kr1stadee

My cart is all over the place: organic baby spring mix, chicken breast, Greek yogurt, whole-grain bread, Eggland's Best eggs, cottage cheese, baby carrots, Pop-Tarts, ice cream, Tastykakes, Cap'n Crunch. Some of the treats are mine, some are my husband's and/or teenage son's. I don't much care what people think, but I suppose some might find the mix of items amusing.

This is pretty much me. I have tons of fruit, veggies, real meats, greek yogurt, then I have treats for me, hubs, and the kids. Once a month, I buy them both Lunchables (GASP!! I'm the worst mom, ever!!) .. lol

I'm not worried, my children are both healthy and active (and on target with their weight!), so that's all that matters to me! Hubs and I, we're working on our weight issues now, and both were learned behavors before we got together

choochoobell

Nah-can't be bothered

Natihilator

I have always been like this. I look into other peoples carts and think 'where's the green filling?'

When I do buy ice cream and cookies and candy, like more than 1 item of junk at a time, I sometimes feel a bit self conscious. But then again I have and have always had an unhealthy relationship with food so that's not surprise.

Queen_JessieA

I get paranoid of what people may think of what is in my buggy. Then I say, wth, whatever.

I buy healthy stuff and then I buy some crap food. My children and husband like snacky things that aren't healthy. So, whatevs. They also like healthy stuff like brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli (my 7 and 10 year old LOVE those!!). So as long as we even out somewhere

bcattoes

I'm just guessing, but I suspect that your 2 yo little girls MAY be a little different than my 19 & 17 yo very active sons. Also, my husband and I go for all day hikes, we trail run, and we lift weights. If we want pop tarts & sugarlicious ice cream, we will eat it - and like it. In fact, I have a hankering for some Cocoa Pebbles, I may just zip off to the store to giggle at the judgers who don't know that you can eat treats, be healthy, and lose weight if you want to.

This would be different than having a cart full of nothing but Cocoa Pebbles, ice cream and pop tarts.

chunkydunk714

Nope. I mind my own business.

Yup...me too.

sarahDickson501

I do look at what is in other peoples carts, I don't think bad thoughts, I do wonder what people think about my cart when half the stuff I buy isn't healthy....I don't want to starve my kids they are already skin and bones and I have to get things they will eat, chicken nuggets, fries, chips, so its really hard for me to eat healthy in a house full of un-healthy food But I manage!

YoungDoc2B

Lol this topic is ridiculous. Worry about what YOU eat.

Koholint

I don't consider myself a "grocery store snob" but I do get a little self-conscious about myself buying groceries. I shop for my husband and me, and we eat totally different, except we have the same thing for dinner.

He's naturally very slim, and he loves to eat processed stuff for snacks. He can eat toaster pastries for breakfast and ramen for a snack, but I can't (I could, but it's pretty empty carbs/sugar for me.)

So when I go shopping, I get half healthy and half processed stuff... Like Greek yogurt and fruit for me, and macaroni & cheese cups for him. I always feel like people are staring at me and thinking to themselves, "This is why she is overweight..."
I'd give Hubby the same thing as me, but he doesn't like Greek yogurt and he has a raw fruit allergy.

):

keem88

lol i don't really pay attention to other people's carts. i mostly do shop at home and pick it up for my large shopping, but if i just need a few things then i'll walk around. i get paranoid that people are watching me pick out food and judging me lol (don't judge my spaghetti squash, shirataki noodles, coconut milk and pb2!)

mistesh

The crap in my cart is only for hubby... he's an adult and he can eat what he wants (literally and figuratively) My kids and hubby get dinner and lunches the healthiest way I can prepare them using things I choose. If hubby asks for "snacks" *eyeroll* I usually get them for him. His body, his choice. My kids? Eat what I cook and if not, eat it tomorrow. I'm not a short order chef. lol

^^ Agree. My son is away at college and it's just me and hubs for now. I am not my husband's mother or keeper. There are snacks and foods he likes that I don't, and vice versa. We pretty much agree on the meals, but the snacks are pretty different. I think it would be passive agressive for me to deliberately not buy foods he requests (we have a list on the fridge that we both add to throughout the week for food/tolietries that we need). He wants Doritos, I am buying Doritos. I don't have to eat them.

Haha, modern day wifely submission?

GnomeQueen84

I honestly don't give a **** what other people buy.

bcattoes

I do look at what is in other peoples carts, I don't think bad thoughts, I do wonder what people think about my cart when half the stuff I buy isn't healthy....I don't want to starve my kids they are already skin and bones and I have to get things they will eat, chicken nuggets, fries, chips, so its really hard for me to eat healthy in a house full of un-healthy food But I manage!

This makes no sense. What makes you think your children will starve if you feed them healthy food?

kbeech06

Hmm, well I can't judge others because hubby comes shopping with me. So with all my healthy stuff, there is also, crisps, chips, beer, brandy, chocolates, and other assorted crap. Not like I can tell him...NO you can't buy it.

Heaven71

I do this as well, especially when they are extremely overweight I almost want to help them.

I secretly love going to the store after a run, it makes me feel a little elite or something and I am fully aware that people look at me, please do, I hope I inspire you.

StrongerKelly

I found myself doing it yesterday. A woman and her young grandson spent about 4 dollars less than I did, and their cart was full of chocolate bars, Coke, Tasty Cakes, fried chicken, snack bags of chips, etc. All I could marvel at is how I've become one of *those* people who has a cart full of items from the perimeter of the store and the organic/healthy aisle. I wasn't raised that way, but it's pretty cool. I try to keep myself from outwardly judging, though. I don't appreciate people judging ME, so I need to keep that in check.

Edited for an html goof.

Otterluv

This would be different than having a cart full of nothing but Cocoa Pebbles, ice cream and pop tarts.

Hmmm, good idea, maybe I'll get all 3 - the trifecta.

If I ever saw anyone with a cart like that, I would assume that they were going to have an awesome sleep over, & be hurt that I wasn't invited.

Point is, get over yourselves. It's not like a person's cart is a window into their soul or a measure of their value.

keem88

My cart is all over the place: organic baby spring mix, chicken breast, Greek yogurt, whole-grain bread, Eggland's Best eggs, cottage cheese, baby carrots, Pop-Tarts, ice cream, Tastykakes, Cap'n Crunch. Some of the treats are mine, some are my husband's and/or teenage son's. I don't much care what people think, but I suppose some might find the mix of items amusing.

This is pretty much me. I have tons of fruit, veggies, real meats, greek yogurt, then I have treats for me, hubs, and the kids. Once a month, I buy them both Lunchables (GASP!! I'm the worst mom, ever!!) .. lol

I'm not worried, my children are both healthy and active (and on target with their weight!), so that's all that matters to me! Hubs and I, we're working on our weight issues now, and both were learned behavors before we got together

lol word the people who do the shop at home for us must be confused at my monthly list.
fresh veg and fruit, whole grain bread/pasta, quinoa, rice cakes, oreos, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, popcorn, doritos, macaroni salad, italian ice/ice cream bars, sunflower seeds, beer.

mlcantwell

I buy most of my groceries online and have them delivered, so I guess the driver might think my choices are weird but they never say a thing.

ncl1313

Snob? Only in the sense that I'm very loyal to one particular store and I turn up my nose at the suggestion that I go to any of the others in town. I've never noticed what other people buy. Last week I had 3 cases of soda, 3 cases of beer, and 12 bags of chips with my regular groceries because I was going to a party and that's what the host had requested I bring. I also shop differently depending on budget and where I'm at in the month. Once every six to eight weeks I do a pantry and freezer replenish where I buy nothing but stuff from the dreaded middle of the store (including boxed mac and cheese and ice cream, etc.) and meat, meat, meat. I do my perimeter shopping as needed, sometimes weekly, sometimes bi-weekly. Depends on what I need. Point is, you're seeing one person/family at one moment in time. You have no idea what their outside situation is, and it seems really petty to judge a person based on their grocery cart. I guess I just don't care that much about what other people are up to. I hate grocery shopping. I just want to get in and out as quickly as possible.

ETA: For the record, my store of choice is Woodmans. If you don't have a Woodmans, I feel sorry for you