Best Sections to Check Out at a Natural Foods Store

When you visit a natural food store for the first time, you might feel a little overwhelmed. There are just so many specialty products with different ingredients and benefits that it's hard to know what you should buy. Dividing the store into sections can help. Focus on just browsing a section or two each trip and selecting items from those sections—over time, you'll become more familiar with everything in the store and what items you like best.

So, what are the best sections to check out at the natural foods store when you're just starting out? Start with these ones:

The Tea Section

Most natural foods stores have at least a shelf, if not a whole aisle, of teas. This is a great section to visit since it offers both health benefits and enjoyment. Different teas and herbal teas have different health benefits. For instance, you may find a tea that helps with sleep and another that raises energy levels. Switching from soda or coffee to some of these healthy teas can be a good move for your overall well-being.

The Grains Section

Whole grains are great sources of fiber and B vitamins, but if you're like many people, you may be a bit burned out on brown rice, barley, and other grains you find at the average grocery store. Natural foods stores tend to carry a better selection of whole grains. You may find red quinoa, grains of paradise, and specialty rice varieties. Purchasing some of these grains will add variety to your diet and help keep you eating them more often.

The Snack Section

The snack section is a great one to explore for two reasons. First, it's full of tasty things, so you're sure to go home with something. Second, you can find healthy replacements for some not-so-health snacks you might be eating. For instance, if you normally eat candy, you can buy some dried fruit as a healthy alternative. If you normally eat potato chips, you can look for sweet potato chips instead. Snacks are often the least healthy thing people eat, so if you can buy some healthy snacks at the natural foods store, you'll be making a big improvement in your diet overall.

If you get acquainted with your local natural grocery store one section at a time, you'll feel at home there in no time. Start with these three sections, and build from there.