Shopping for groceries may take various shapes. There’s a short trip to the shop because you forgot something essential, like milk or eggs. Perhaps you plan a weekly excursion to ensure you have enough food for the week. In certain situations, you may be arranging a large party and may need to purchase products in quantity for the occasion.
Whether your grocery trip is fast or time-consuming, registered dietitian Jennifer Hyland, RD, shares ideas on how to shop intelligently for food – and maybe save money in the process.
Prepare ahead of time
Hyland observes that preparing ahead of time before going to the supermarket is useful at any time of year. However, she emphasises the need for preparation “when you’re trying to make health-conscious and cost-effective choices.”
Planning your vacation, for example, guarantees that you can locate (or remember to pack) essential discounts. You may also check out the store’s bargains ahead of time on your phone app, rather than doing it as you go along the aisles.
A planning session also allows you to look at healthy dishes you want to try and identify what items you may need. This will help you prevent over-purchasing and waste fewer food.
Create a shopping list.
Make a shopping list as part of your preparation. Make a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for meals over the following one to two weeks.
While you may not be able to get everything in one trip — after all, certain vegetables spoil if purchased too far in advance — you will be able to obtain the majority of what you need.
“This technique not only helps your money, but it also saves you time later in the week when deciding what to serve for dinner,” Hyland explains. “You won’t have to make an additional trip out because you forgot about that annoying onion.”
Some folks like to do things the old-fashioned way, using pen and paper. Alternatively, you may use a shopping list app on your phone or just write down your list in your notes app. Do whatever suits your particular organising style.
“Use your list-making time to unwind on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee before braving the throng at the shop,” Hyland advises.
Before you depart, inspect the kitchen.
Even if you’re certain you’re out of peanut butter and want a large new jar, double-check your cabinets just to be sure. You may be shocked by what you find.
“You’ll be able to prevent over-purchasing essential things and cluttering the cabinet, such as buying two jars of peanut butter only to discover later that you already have three.” “I tried it with salsa just last week,” Hyland recalls.
This will not only save you money, but it will also make your kitchen less messy since you won’t have large jars of nonperishable food-collecting dust.
Make shopping a family event.
Making grocery shopping and meal preparation easy for the whole family is a terrific way to save time. “Involve your children in meal planning and grocery shopping,” Hyland suggests.
“Not only does this assist bring the family together, but it may also help avoid the chorus of objections when you serve these meals later to your family.”
Being a part of the planning process also begins to educate children about money management, as well as arithmetic and culinary abilities.
When shopping, be systematic.
Plan your visit properly after you’ve arrived at the shop. Stick to going to places where you know you need to purchase food — and try to avoid idle wandering in aisles brimming with enticing snacks or sweets.
Fortunately, most shops have similar layouts. For example, essentials such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy — in other words, healthier items — are often located on the store’s perimeter. The majority of nonperishable basics are located in the interior aisles. If you know you’re going to go off-list, stay to the outside aisles.
Examine food quality and expiry dates.
Even the most attentive retailers have mouldy or expired products on their shelves. That’s why, before purchasing a loaf of bread, always check the expiry date.
The freshness of fruits and vegetables might be more difficult to assess. Check the texture and hardness of the product before purchasing.
This is also where your shopping list might help. If you know you won’t be cooking for a few days, don’t purchase vegetables that seem ready to eat that day. They’ll probably go rotten before then.
If all else fails and you over-purchase, you can freeze almost everything before it spoils. Just remember to double-check your freezer before your next shopping trip.
Deals should be avoided.
It’s tempting to purchase something when it’s on sale. After all, saving money is usually a nice thing, particularly if the item is already on your shopping list. However, if you don’t need anything on sale, return it.
Stick to your plan.
Impulse purchases are often unavoidable. It’s not a moral fault, but rather human nature. However, wherever feasible, stick to your shopping list. This will guarantee that you keep within your budget and do not overburden your kitchen.