I may sound weird saying this, but I actually enjoy grocery shopping when I follow the best practices I've learned below. Try these tips for a better shopping experience, and food shopping won't feel like such a chore anymore.
Written by Audrey Del Prete, FitPros Pro
Grocery shopping can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies, it can become a more enjoyable and efficient experience. By following these tips, you can streamline your shopping trips, save money, and make healthier choices.
Here are some practical tips for smarter grocery shopping:
Make a list- Whether you use paper and pen or make a list on your phone, the number one thing you can do prior to grocery shopping is to make a list with only your immediate needs and stick to it. This will help you get in and out of the store quickly, rather than standing there thinking, "What do I need?" Don’t buy anything not on the list because you don’t need it! I use the app Any.do for all of my lists.
Shop the outside aisles first- Stay on the outside of the grocery aisles as much as you can. The inner aisles are filled with more expensive, processed products. Sticking to the outside aisles will save your budget and your health.
Look for coupons- I know I sound old saying this, but it’s true! Coupons can help. Look for them in the mail and/or digital coupons if you use the store’s app. They can save you a decent amount of money as long as you use them for things you are already buying. Don’t buy something you don’t really need just because you have a coupon for it. That will end up costing you more money in the end.
Store rewards program- If you shop at a major retailer, the store most likely has a customer rewards program that gives you automatic discounts on most items. Definitely sign up for it. You will save a lot each time you shop.
BYOB- Bring your own bag. I keep my grocery totes in my car so I don’t leave them at home, but don’t forget to wash them regularly to prevent bacterial growth and cross-contamination.
Timing is everything- Everyone and their mother goes grocery shopping on Sundays, so I avoid doing my shopping on Sundays at all costs; otherwise, it is a miserable experience. Instead, I usually do my shopping at odd times, like the middle of a weekday or Friday or Saturday evenings. Experiment with your local store. Try going at different times and see what works best for you.
Try new recipes- If you find recipes you are actually excited to make, your shopping, cooking, and eating experience will be that much better! Break out of your bland and boring go-to's and try something new!
Compare prices- Instead of grabbing the first thing you see, take a minute to compare brand prices. Is there really a difference between the store brand and the name brand? Buy it once and try it. If you really do notice a difference, you can always go back to your favorite brand.
Read labels- Okay, this one will take you some more time, but if you are health-conscious, it is definitely worth it and should become your new must-do habit. Your individual health goals will ultimately determine what you buy, but generally speaking, avoid products with High Fructose Corn Syrup and/or Trans Fat. Instead, pick up items with fewer than six ingredients or, better yet, food with no labels at all (you know, like fruits and vegetables). If you don’t want to stand there and read labels, there’s an app for that! I recently started using Yuka, an app that allows you to scan barcodes and then rates the product based on the number of additives. By the way, I am not being paid to include this, I just like it a lot!
Give yourself enough time- I don’t like to feel rushed when I shop, so I plan ahead to give myself enough time to commute, shop, and then put the items away when I get home.
Try these tips on your next trip to the grocery store—you won't be sorry!
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