Shopping Smart
It’s important to master the skill of smart shopping, otherwise you can end up with a perpetually empty fridge or a kitchen full of random foods that never get eaten. Worse yet, you could end up with a fridge full of unhealthy stuff! Here are some simple tips along with a smart shopping list that will help you make the most of your trips to the grocery store.
Tips for Shopping Smarter
Follow these simple shopping tips and you’ll be stocking up on the right ingredients and saving a little money at the same time.
- Shop on a full stomach
You’ll be less inclined to impulse buy items you don’t really need. If you can’t shop after a meal, grab a satisfying snack like a cheese stick or a handful of nuts before you hit the store. - Make a shopping list—and stick to it
You’ll do a better job of buying only what you need and not buying things you don’t. You’ll also be less inclined to buy the unhealthy stuff. - Look for the store brands
Name-brand products often are more expensive, but many store brands are just as good, and they’re almost always less expensive. - Pay attention to unit pricing
Sometimes buying in bulk is smart, sometimes it’s not. Think about how much you really need and when it will expire. If you don’t think you’ll use all of it, it might mean buying less and paying a little more per ounce is the right call. - Shop the entire store
The perimeter remains prime real estate for fresh produce, dairy, and meats, but healthy staples like canned tuna, olive oil, and whole-grain cereals are in those center aisles. Skip the aisles with the cookies, chips, candy, and soda. - Shop once a week, if you can
Making regular trips to the store will ensure you’ve always got fresh ingredients on hand and don’t end up running through the drive-thru. - Use an in-store scanner or phone app
Using some smart technology can help you keep track of what you’re spending and keep you within your shopping budget. - Bring your own reuseable shopping bags
Bringing your own bags means fewer plastic bags get tossed in the trash. Be sure to keep a few designated for raw meat, and wash all bags in between uses!
It’s Time for a Road Trip to the grocery store!
Here is my suggested healthy shopping list for stocking your kitchen. (It’s kind of hard to cook without food, after all!) You may need to make some tweaks based on your preferences, but these are the core ingredients I suggest you stock up on. If you keep most of these items on hand, you’ll be able to make most of the recipes in this book.