By Casey Neill
Nabula El Mourid is empowering parents to make better choices at the supermarket.
“I became a mum and suddenly I was responsible for feeding others as well as myself, but I was more time poor than ever,” she explained.
“I couldn’t make my weekly trip to the farmers market and butcher anymore, so I found myself in the aisles of Woolies, but still wanting to make the best choices for my young family.
“I started reading ingredient lists and quickly realised what was in some of the products I was buying on repeat.
“What fascinated me most was that on the same shelf, there was often another product with a simple, recognisable ingredient list.
“Swapping to products made with only real ingredients brought more calm to our home.”
Nabs decided to share what she’d learned through an Instagram account, Supermarket Swap.
“I thought a few friends might find it useful, but it turns out these swaps resonate with hundreds of thousands of people like me,” she said.
Soon, she worked with qualified health professionals and food scientists to develop an app where shoppers could find out what the numbers in ingredient lists actually mean, and easily identify additive and preservative-free options.
“We don’t need to obsess over every product we buy, but the truth is, you don’t really know what’s in the food you’re buying unless you flip it over,” Nabs said.
“Brands design the front of their packs to make us want to buy them, and it’s only when you take the time to read the ingredient list and nutrition table that you get the full picture of what’s inside.
“It’s also the easiest way to compare products on the shelf, because what’s available can change from store to store.
“A quick look at the back can help you make a better choice without overthinking it.”
Nabs won over budget-conscious shoppers with weekly wrap-ups of better-choice products on special, and added a recipe and meal plan feature in 2022.
The Weekly Grocery Shop is the next step.
“I studied writing at university, and while it was always a dream to write a book one day, I never imagined it would come true!” Nabs said.
Launched in September, it features more than 70 recipes, meal plans, shopping lists, and ideas for snacks, leftovers, and lunchboxes – all developed with health professionals.
“I want people to feel empowered, not overwhelmed,” she said.
“The book is a shortcut to help improve what you eat – quick, easy tools to help you plan better and eat better without spending more at the checkout.
“If you’re already using the app or following online, the book is like having everything we talk about in one place – all the advice, tips, guidelines, and everything I’ve learned since starting Supermarket Swap.
“Plus, it includes a whole new batch of recipes and meal plans you won’t find anywhere else.
“And if you’re brand new? It’s the perfect starting point to take control of your kitchen, because that begins in the supermarket.”
Nabs conceded that going all-in on additive and preservative-free shopping could feel overwhelming.
“So I always recommend starting with one or two small swaps at a time,” she said.
“Begin with a product you use every day, like bread or butter, and look for an option made with only real ingredients.”
