Medical astrologer reveals ‘essential’ grocery haul while Mercury is in Retrograde
A nutritionist and medical astrologer has revealed the exact foods you should be putting in your shopping carts whilst Mercury remains in Retrograde.
If you’ve heard people blaming poor life choices, bad luck, or lapses in dietary strictness on ‘Mercury Retrograde’, then you may be wondering what all the fuss is about.
The phenomenon often takes place over a three-week period, with the messenger planet appearing to move backwards in the sky as the Earth overtakes its orbit around the Sun.
While there’s no evidence that the astronomical occurrence will have an impact on our daily lives up until 23 July, astrologers would claim otherwise.
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Speaking to Tyla on behalf of Heart Bingo Online, astrologer Inbaal Honigman said that technology is likely to be impacted, with phones restarting on their own, parcel deliveries ending up with the wrong neighbours, and Wi-Fi cutting out and causing stress.
Inbaal explains that, for the current Retrodgrade, Mercury is in Cancer, meaning families and close-knit communities are likely to be impact.
“It means that casual chit-chat will be taken to heart, and job interviews can feel more personal than professional," she notes.
“When the Mercury Retrograde takes place in Cancer, it means that this melodrama brings tears instead of growth, and temporarily sours some relationships, though only until 23rd July."
How you should eat while Mercury is in Retrograde
To keep calm and levelheaded during Mercury Retrograde, nutritionist and medical astrologer Kira Sutherland has provided FOODbible readers with some tips - including what food and drink items you should be reaching for.
“Whether people truly believe in Mercury Retrograde or simply use it as a way to explain stressful periods, it reflects something very human - the need to feel more grounded when life feels busy or unpredictable,” she explained.
“Small daily habits around food, sleep and routine can make a real difference to how supported and balanced we feel.
“These don’t need to be complicated changes; they’re simple, repeatable rituals that fit into everyday life, and that’s what makes them powerful.”
According to Sutherland, there are 14 food and drink items you should be consuming in abundance while Mercury is in Retrograde - all of which will allow you to feel calmer and ‘more grounded’ during the hectic period.
Fruit and vegetables
When it comes to chowing down on your five a day during the cosmic occurrence, there is certain produce you should be reaching for, the nutritionist claimed.
These include: sweet potatoes, pumpkins, blueberries, pears, and spinach.
While the former supports healthy digestion and boosts immune function, pumpkins can support healthy vision and are packed with vitamin A.
Despite blueberries, spinach, and pears appearing on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list for 2026, Sutherland has hailed the three as go-to fruits and vegetables.
Drinks
Chamomile and peppermint tea, bone broth, and kefir are set to keep you hydrated and your stomach calm whilst Mercury is in Retrograde.
In case you’re not familiar with the latter, kefir is a fermented food or drink usually made from milk. It’s a bit like yoghurt, but offers far more probiotic variety and has a more sour, tangy taste.
Experts at Zoe suggest that kefir benefits include: diversifying your gut microbiome, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and controlling blood sugar.
Proteins
Don’t skip your protein, with salmon, eggs and pumpkin seeds all being included on Sutherland’s ‘healing’ grocery haul.
Not only can protein keep you fuller for longer, but it can also aid digestion and help you manage your weight, as per Benenden Health.
Other favourites
Sutherland claims that other supermarket finds, including walnuts, kimchi, magnesium bath salts, and candles may help ease the astrological transition period.
Kimchi, a traditional Korean dish of fermented vegetables, contains probiotics that may boost gut health, plus fibre and vitamins, as per Zoe.
Tips for managing ‘cosmic chaos’
Working with Ocado, Sutherland has detailed a five-step plan to survive and thrive during Mercury Retrograde.
According to the UK’s biggest online supermarket, the launch, named ‘Retrograde Reset’, is designed to support calmer routines, provide everyday moments of comfort, and afford a healthy dose of self-care for when life feels a little out of sync.
Breakfast is key
The nutritionist advises not to skip breakfast while Mercury is in Retrograde. Instead, you should reach for nutrient-dense, protein-rich options such as eggs, yoghurt or porridge oats.
These items are designed to ‘keep energy levels steady and avoid the mid-morning slump’.
Embrace comfort cravings
You may be locked into your fitness goals, but it’s okay to embrace comfort food cravings once in a blue moon, says Sutherland.
“Balance nostalgic favourites with nourishing options such as soups, broths, roasted vegetables, and protein-rich meals to help you feel comforted without compromising your energy,” she stated.
Stay hydrated
Britain is still in the grips of a heatwave, meaning it’s more important than ever to remain hydrated.
On average, you should aim to drink between six and eight cups of water every day. However, when temperatures creep up, you should probably be taking on more.
This can be achieved by taking your reusable water bottle with you, drinking unsweetened coffee and tea, and diluting juice with squash.
Drink tea before bed
By putting down TikTok and picking up a camomile or peppermint tea, you can create a seamless bedtime ritual that will help signal to your body that it's time to switch off, the expert reasoned.
Peppermint tea benefits include relieving tension headaches and clearing nasal congestion, while camomile will reduce anxiety and lower blood sugar.
Treat bedtime like an appointment
After supping on your hot drink, be sure to go to sleep at a time that suits you and your plans the following morning. Adults generally need between seven to nine hours of sleep per night, as per the NHS.
Anyone who is struggling to hit the hay may find that munching on kiwis helps, with the vitamin C-rich fruit being hailed as a ‘natural sleep aid’ by experts at Verywell Health.
Ella Scott