How to Grocery Shop Effortlessly during a Flare!

Oh, the dreaded chore of going grocery shopping while in a flare up with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBS or any form of IBD! Hopefully you have a caregiver that can grab your weekly groceries for you when you’re in a severe flare, but what about those times where you have no choice but to go on your own?  Many of us live on our own, or even if we have a roommate, schedules conflict and what can we do, life is life. 

So!  In the event that you feel like crap, and have to head to the grocery store to get yourself food, here are some tips that I have compiled along the way to help you get in and out as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

1. Grab a shopping cart and place an item in it, immediately.

When you get down from your vehicle, grab a cart and place the first item you see inside upon arrival. At my grocery store there are flowers in the entrance, so I always grab a bouquet and put it in my cart, first thing. 

Why?  Because now you have secured your cart and you can use the restroom at any time and not have to worry about someone taking your cart because there is an item inside.  You can leave that puppy outside the restroom and be confident it will be there when you come out.  So, get a cart and mark it yours!

2. Locate, and use the restroom.

This is key.  Most likely during your shopping you will need to pause and use the restroom, and perhaps more than once.  Usually, when I am flaring, by the time I get to the market, I already have to go.  Regardless, whether you need to or not, I suggest going to the bathroom first thing when you arrive.  This will buy you time for getting groceries without having to stop in the middle to use the bathroom again. 

So locate, and use the restroom.  Remain calm and take as much time as needed.  And check out my post on 6 Things to Carry in Your Purse, these things will help you with your bathroom stop.    

3. Have a grocery list.

This part is essential.  Never, ever go to the grocery store and walk aimlessly around thinking about what you should get for food when you’re in the middle of a flare!  You will tire yourself out, increase time for shopping, and therefore increase time for having to pause and use the restroom. 

With a list, you have a plan.  With a plan, you achieve efficiency.  You want your time in the grocery store to be as minimal as possible so you can get back home and rest.  So whip that list out, and get to it!

4. Speak up.

If you are buying a case of water or any other heavy item, don’t even think about trying to pick it up!  I know we all like to be the hero, and try to do things on our own, but the reality is, you are not well during a flare and need assistance. Let’s be real guys, if you struggle to walk to the bathroom in your home, why are you going to try and pick up a case of water unassisted.  

So you can go about this two ways: 

First, you can go about your shopping and whenever you bump into an employee say: “Hi, I need a case of water but I don’t have the strength to pick it up at the moment.  Can you help me get it in my cart?”  Simple, dimple.  You WILL be helped.  That’s one way… 

Another way, is to locate the customer service desk and say the exact same thing.  Then step aside and watch how pleasant humanity can still be.  Oh, and don’t forget to say thank you ♡

5. Ask for assistance to help you load your car.

I highly, highly suggest asking for help to load your groceries into your car.  Again, don’t try to be a hero.  Groceries are heavy especially if you have a case of water or a gallon of juice.  Don’t make things harder than they need to be. 

So after you pay, ask the employee bagging your groceries to help you load them into your car.  If there isn’t an employee doing so, after you pay, ask for assistance at the customer service desk.  And of course, if you are able, offering tip as a thank you is always a nice gesture.

And there you have it.  Some tips to help you get through grocery shopping while in a pesky flare. Do you have any tips to add that work for you? 

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