QUICK GUIDE TO GROCERY SHOPPING

Monthly grocery budget and eating healthy are the two primary concerns of most people when buying groceries. But most of them associate healthy eating habits to more costly items. But do you know you can still eat healthy and nourishing foods?

There are three important things you must remember when it comes to grocery: First, never hit a grocery store on an empty stomach. On an average, those who are hungry when shopping exceed their grocery budget by 10% unlike those who are full. Second, write down all the items you need to buy on the store and stick to it. By doing so, you won’t likely pick unnecessary and unhealthy foods. And lastly, survey the store’s perimeter. Most grocery stores place all the processed and expensive items in the aisle in the middle.

The following are the things people should bear in mind when picking items in the store.

Buy generic. Many individuals still have a notion on buying generic and branded products. But realistically speaking, generic products, at least most of them, won’t cause any harm. It can provide huge savings when looking for healthy alternatives. All food manufacturers, whether a generic or branded, adhere to standards to provide safe, high quality food and beverage products.

Organic products are not always the best option. Organic foods have lower levels of pesticides used in production. But then again, not all fruits and vegetables require many extra fertilizers or pesticides. Based on The Daily Green, fruits such as mangoes and pineapples, as well as vegetables such as corn and onions may be bought in its traditional non-organic varieties without worrying about its high levels of pesticide. Also, nutritional components of both organic and conventional foods are the same.

Go to the frozen food aisles for other produce. Most frozen fruits and vegetables are harvested at peak freshness and contain the same nutrition as the fresh ones. Good thing frozen foods can let you use the amount you need, reseal the package, and return it to the refrigerator. Since it is properly restored, you are not wasting anything.

Most of us patronize retail products. While it can save you some money, buying in bulk can be another technique to eating healthy while on a budget. This is almost cheaper and there various items that are sold in bulk, including dairy products. Bulk bins in several grocery stores can be used to buy dried beans, nuts, and grains at lower prices than its canned and/or bagged forms.

Cook in bulk, too. Prepare food in bulk and freeze the recipe into parts. This will save time in the kitchen and money, too. For instance, if you are going to cook spaghetti or any other dish, make a big batch of tomato sauce, which is less expensive than purchasing an equal amount of ready-to-cook sauce.