I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been one that has to make a grocery list before I get to the store so that I know what I’m buying.  This also prevents me from forgetting something important that I need, and then making another trip to the store to get it later on.  The only exception to my list-making habit is when there’s just one or two things that I need. After reading an article over at Shape, I’m thinking I should make a list even when there’s just a few things that I need, and so should you.

So why is making a grocery list, no matter how big or how small important? Well, it helps you stick to what you actually need and helps you avoid buying things that you don’t, namely the unhealthy foods like cakes, cookies, and chips. This means even when you have just three things you need, still make a list and stick to it.  It’s easy to get into the store and pickup anything that you see even if you don’t need it.  According to a study from New York University, “The brainpower you use trying to remember what to buy takes away from the mental strength needed to resist temptation.”

Looks like I’ll be making yet more shopping lists…