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Going through food school I realized that we can sit here and tell people they need to eat better for their health until we’re blue in the face; the truth of the matter is, there can be anxiety surrounding grocery shopping for some folks out there. Whether it has to do with limited funds for groceries, or even lack of knowledge surrounding what to buy and/or how to prepare certain foods, the problem exists and emerging RDs should be able to come up with ways to assist those who may find themselves in such predicaments. Here are some of my favorite tips to save some coin when food shopping to make the experience a little less painful.
1. Buy only what you need.
Plan a menu first, then make a list of the things you need. And yes, I realize how tedious and cumbersome this sounds, but knowing what you need ahead of time prevents you from getting things that you don’t need, thus saving that coin.
Keep a list handy in the kitchen to write down items that you need to buy for your menu or to restock your pantry.
Pay with cash if you can. Bring only the money you plan to spend.
Avoid shopping on an empty stomach. There’s a very good chance you’ll buy more ‘fun foods’ when you’re hungry.
2. Quit buying convenience items (or start buying less).
Your best bet is to shop at grocery stores. Corner convenience stores tend to be more expensive.
Buy fewer prepared foods, like those Lean Cuisines. They typically cost more and are often higher in salt, sugar, and fat.
3. Look for the bargains.
Check store flyers or download apps like ‘Flipp’ to look for the best prices on food.
Look at the top and bottom of the shelf for lower cost foods. Higher priced items are often placed at eye-level.
Buy store or “no-name” brands. They’re the exact same as the brand names.
Check unit prices to help you compare similar foods of different sizes. Most stores show the unit price on the shelf below the product.
Take a close look at the items at the end of aisle displays. They may not always be at a lower price.
But what about going to Costco and buying stuff in bulk, doesn’t that save me money?
Glad you asked. Buying things in bulk can sometimes save you money. Keep some of these tips in mind the next time you’re at Costco.
Be sure you have enough extra money and storage space to buy in bulk. If you don’t have the space, there’s a good chance it’ll go to waste.
Check the unit prices – not all items bought in bulk are the best buys.
Buy only foods that your family will use up before going bad. Dry goods such as pasta, rice, couscous, and other frozen foods keep well.
Buying things in bulk can sometimes lead families to overeat. Watch the portion sizes.
When meat and poultry are on sale and you have freezer space, buy enough to make large batch recipes and freeze the leftovers for later.
I hope you find some of these tips useful. What are some of your cost-saving techniques? Drop them in the comments!
Best,
Natalie
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