When shopping for meals, it is important to have a plan. Start by bringing a grocery list as well as any coupons you have. Additionally, make sure to pack your reusable bags. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your grocery shopping trip.
Focus on whole foods
While packaged or pre-cut foods can be more convenient, they tend to be more expensive. When possible, buy fruits and vegetables in their whole form and prepare them at home. You can also save money by making some foods yourself at home, and they may be healthier. Here are some examples:
Look at the price per unit
Price per unit is a method to compare the cost per unit of products, such as the cost per ounce or pound. The price per unit is usually displayed in the bottom corner of price tags at the store. Price per unit does not tell you anything about the quality of food, just the comparison of what you are paying for. For example, a smaller block of cheese will likely cost less to buy, but the price per ounce is higher than a bigger block of cheese. This means that even though it costs more upfront to get a bigger block of cheese, you are saving money in the long run. Depending on the product, you might even be able to freeze larger quantities for use later. While shopping, if there are two products that are comparable in quality, look at the price per unit. Remember, store brands tend to be cheaper per unit than name brands.
Keep an eye out for deals
Stores will often advertise special deals in store. For example, a carton of milk that is normally 5.99 may be on sale for 3.99. If the sale price is cheaper than other brands, consider choosing this product. Additionally, if you had planned on using ground beef for your spaghetti and meatballs, but notice that chicken is on sale and cheaper overall, consider changing the recipe to save money.
Utilize coupons
Many stores have weekly coupons they send out in the mail or post them on their website or smartphone application. Make sure to check these before going to the store for items you normally buy to save additional money.
Navigate the store effectively
When shopping for food, try and shop on the outer perimeter of the store first. This is where you’ll typically find fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, meats and other whole foods. Then, check out the aisles with beans, other grains, and sauces. Lastly, grab any packaged foods you still need. This will help you fill your cart with whole ingredients and evaluate what you still need instead of filling the cart with packaged foods first.
Check the Nutrition Facts label
Do you know how to read a Nutrition Facts label? Follow these steps below.
- Look at the serving sizes. Serving sizes are based on the amount people typically consume of a product. They are not always reflective of what a person should consume, which varies by the individual. The calorie and nutrient amounts listed on the label are for one serving.
- Check the sodium and added sugars. Both these ingredients are common to add to foods, especially packaged products. Check the amounts on labels to reduce the amount of added sugar and sodium you are consuming.
- Focus on nutritious foods. Checking the label for foods that have high amounts of nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals can help you make better choices when shopping for food.
*For more information on Nutrition Facts labels, check out this Food Hero Resource.
We hope you are able to apply these tips and tricks to your next shopping trip. For recipe inspiration, check out our recipes page.
