Best Frame of Mind for Food Shopping

We all know it's not a good idea to go food shopping when you're hungry, and new research suggests that you probably should avoid the supermarket when you've been drinking, right after exercising, or if you're involved in intense negotiations. Investigators at Indiana University and the University of Houston have concluded that the arousal involved in these activities may interfere with the ability to resist temptation. To demonstrate the influence of arousal, the researchers asked one group of volunteers to watch a calm movie clip, while another group watched a more exciting one. Then they offered both groups a snack of either a cup of grapes or a cup of M&Ms. The volunteers who watched the arousing clip were more likely to choose the M&Ms. Next, volunteers were asked to do some light exercise before watching a calm movie clip. This time, they were more likely to choose M&Ms. For the third study, participants were asked to remember either two or seven digits. The ones who learned the seven digits were more likely to choose M&Ms afterward - here, an acute shortage of mental energy was deemed responsible.

My take? Arousal is a by-product of stress, either internal or external, and there's little doubt that when you're under stress, your best intentions can go out the window. But forewarned is forearmed. If you think you're going to be keyed up when you go food shopping, you could postpone your trip to the store, or make a list in advance and don't deviate from it.

Not sure what to put on your grocery list in the first place? Use my Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid as a guide.