Why I love supermarket tours
Tracey Higgins is an accredited practising dietitian with 15 years experience in private practice and community health.
We asked Tracey what drives her to volunteer with Diabetes Victoria as a supermarket tour guide.
Here is Tracey’s story:
After being in the banking industry for 10 years I wanted a change. I had a big Interest in nutrition and helping people. After lots of study – while running around after 2 young children – I received my qualification.
I think supermarket tours are important because it gives our clients a space to ask questions and find out information in a real supermarket environment. This makes it easier to remember what we discuss, which helps with behaviour change. It’s like a trial run before doing a real shop.
I love running group workshops at supermarkets
I personally love running group workshops where clients can bounce ideas and experiences off each other, so the supermarket tours are an extension of this.
At a typical supermarket tour, there will be between 2 and 6 of us. We wander strategically around the supermarket discussing supermarket layout, healthy versus less healthy options and label reading – while asking and answering lots of questions.
A thorough tour takes about 2 hours – so be ready with the energy and bring some water
In addition to the new knowledge someone receives from going on a supermarket tour, there is also a real benefit for their families, and by extension, their friends and local community.
Having an 'aha' moment can be revealing...
Some of my favourite times are the great ‘aha’ moments when people understand what to look for on labels and why something might be a healthier choice.
I enjoy receiving the verbal feedback when I see a client at a later date and they tell me that they changed at least a few things in their weekly shop, such as type of bread, cereal or cracker biscuits.
Common misconceptions about ‘healthy’ foods
In my next blog post, I will be discussing some common misconceptions about ‘healthy’ foods at supermarkets and provide my top tips for a successful supermarket shop.
To book a supermarket tour in your local community visit call Diabetes Victoria on 1300 136 588: Or visit their website here: https://www.diabetesvic.org.au/
2 hour supermarket tour and free shopping nutrition guide
As part of the two-hour tour, an Inspiro dietitian will show you how to read and understand food labels and select the items that are both healthy and delicious.
A comprehensive pocket size healthy shopping guide booklet is included as part of the tour cost and helps to take all the hard work out of food shopping.
If you live in one of the following suburbs Tracey can assist you with a supermarket tour or with qualified dietetic advice that will help you achieve your goals:
Badger Creek, Bayswater, Bayswater North, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Boronia, Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Croydon North, Croydon, Croydon Hills, East Warburton, Emerald, Ferny Creek, Healesville, Heathmont, Hoddles Creek, Kallista, Kalorama, Kilsyth South, Kilsyth, Launching Place, Lilydale, Lysterfield, Macclesfield, Menzies Creek, Millgrove, Monbulk, Montrose, Mooroolbark, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Narre Warren East, Olinda, Ringwood, Ringwood North, Sassafras, Selby, Seville, Seville East, Silvan, Tecoma, The Patch, Tremont, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Wandin, Wandin North, Warrandyte South, Warranwood, Warburton, Wesburn, Wonga Park, Woori Yallock, Yarra Valley, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction and Yellingbo.
More about Inspiro’s range of health services
Inspiro is a not-for-profit health service that provides diabetes education and diabetes management advice, dietetics & nutrition advice and a range of other health services to residents in Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Croydon, Mt Evelyn, Wandin, Coldstream, Yarra Glen and surrounding area’s.
Inspiro’s other services include dental, physiotherapy, counselling, occupational therapy, adult speech therapy, child speech therapy, podiatry, child & family support, diabetes education, an on-site GP & skin clinic, small loans for those in need and My Aged Care and aged care services to the Yarra Ranges community
Inspiro has a range of free or low cost groups and programs for local residents, parents, children, the elderly and families.
Call us now on 03 9028 0153