Have you ever heard the phrase, “Shop the perimeter of the store?” This might be one of my all time most hated comments that I hear from other professionals in the nutrition field. I don’t know who came up with this, (maybe it’s someone who has never actually BEEN to a grocery store?) but I’m here to tell you it’s some major B.S.
This type of rhetoric comes from a place of total privilege, and ignores so much. Multi-cultural items, whole grains such as cereals and pastas, inexpensive protein sources like dried or canned beans, vegan options like almond or coconut milk, and convenience foods that offer just as much nutrition as foods found on the perimeter live in the center aisles at most grocery stores.
Colonization and Assimilation oh my!
In a method known as colonization and assimilation, white European people demonized traditional foods from Native and immigrant communities. They replaced traditional foods such as rice with potatoes and and eliminated some of the food prep methods with more “American” practices. Many western cultures use a quick high heat method and in the US we have a history of preferring slow cook methods.
Know what else is found in the middle aisles? Lots of items to help folx prepare meals at home such as spices, healthy oils, canned tomato products, nut butters, gluten free options, and baking supplies like sugar and flours.
So let’s decide to keep our eyes on our own carts and rather than judge where or how or what items someone shops for, embrace diversity and convenience because at the end of the day, we are all doing the very best we can and no one food or way of eating is superior!
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