5 Tips to Follow When Food Shopping

A recent trip to my local grocery store reminded me about the consequences of food shopping without being prepared. With the high food prices these days, being prepared pays off when it comes to grocery shopping and eating healthy. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for your next trip to the grocery store.

Tip 1

Before making a trip to the grocery store, start by plan your meals for 1-2 weeks. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, foods high in essential vitamin and minerals for a healthy body. Look for food rich in fiber, vitamin C, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and choose healthy fats. Include easy to prepare foods for busy days, and consider batch cooking on days that allow for meals that can easily be stored in the freezer for work lunches. Select foods that can help stretch your dollar such as buying sale items or selecting dry goods such as beans and lentils in place of canned.

Tip 2

Using your planned meals, take inventory of foods in the fridge that can be used for your meals. Consider tweaking your list as needed by creating a new meal using leftovers, and spices that add flavor to foods instead of buying sauces or gravies.

Tip 3

Take inventory of pantry items. Check for expired foods, foods that you planned on using for that special recipe, consider adding to your weeks menu so that the item does not go to waste. Make note of items that can be moved from pantry to fridge and scratch off items on your shopping list that are no longer needed right away.

Tip 4

Be sure not to shop on an empty stomach. Shopping while hungry can quickly fill up your cart with extra foods that don’t fit a healthy meal plan. In addition, the added cost of extra item greatly increase your bill at the checkout line.

Tip 5

Consider online shopping or using a grocery store app. Shopping online and utilizing curb-side pickup is a huge time saver and is easier on your pocketbook. Shopping online or via store app, allows you to quickly see the number of items in your cart and the cost prior to paying. For added convenience, some stores offer the option of home delivery for an additional fee.

I hope these money saving tips help you and yours stick to your food budget and healthy meal plan.

Till next time, stay healthy and be well.