Tips for Grocery Shopping With Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Make trips to the store less tiring and easier on your joints. Try these tips!

Before you go, make a shopping list. It may help you roam fewer aisles. If you know the store's layout, write down your groceries in the order you'll find them, starting with the aisle closest to the entrance.

Get your credit or charge cards ready by making them easier to grip. Just add a bit of masking tape to the side across from the magnetic strip or the chip.

Bring a few reusable tote bags, too. They may be more comfortable to carry than plastic or paper ones. You could also bring a pair of gloves that have grips on them. They might help you grasp groceries more easily.

While you're shopping, handle any heavy packages of food carefully. Cradle one using the insides of your elbows, and hug it close to your body before you put it into the shopping cart. You can also ask store staff for help lifting big items.

Speak up if you need other kinds of help, too. At the checkout line, you could ask an employee to help you load your bags into your car. And once you're home, you can ask a family member or a neighbor for a hand unloading or unpacking.

If you have a day when you're feeling too tired or achy to shop, think about shopping online. You can order your groceries from services that deliver them right to your home. It may cost a little extra, but it could give you more time to rest and recover.