Eating Healthy In College: How to Smart Grocery Shop

It’s All About the Planning:

Have you ever gone to the grocery store and spent way too much money, and left with items that you don’t even end up using? We all have been there. Going grocery shopping can seem like a daunting task, but it is the starting point in leading a healthy lifestyle. In order to effectively create and consume nutritious food, you must know how to master grocery shopping. Though it seems like a self-explanatory task, a lot of planning should actually take place before a grocery shopping trip. Keep reading to reveal the tips that allow you to take charge of grocery shopping, rather than letting temptation and distraction steer you away of the task at hand.

Price Comparisons & Grocery List 101:

Before you step foot in the grocery store, there are a few things that you should do. You should first create a grocery list, where you should write down everything you need. Plan out your meals ahead of time, and list the ingredients needed, so you don’t end up purchasing unnecessary items in store. After creating your list, look through your kitchen

and see what you already have. This prevents you from

purchasing a duplicate, as well as allowing you to see how many items you actually need. Once your list is final, a smart thing to do is price comparisons. You can look up the prices of the items you need at your usual grocery store and compare them to other local shops. If there is a big difference in price, you can make multiple stops, or switch your shopping location. You should be an informed shopper and do everything you can in the preparation stages to allow you to have a stress free and beneficial grocery store trip.

Divide up your list in categories!

The Why Behind Coupons:

An important grocery shopping feature to note is coupons. Though coupons are great to use on shopping trips, they can also cause you to purchase items that you don’t need, just because they are at an extremely discounted price. Look at coupons after your grocery list is final, so you don’t add random discounted items to your list.

Tips & Tricks:

Once you arrive at the grocery store, it can be overwhelming.

• Take the store one section at a time and stick to your list.

• When you purchase perishable items, make sure you only buy as much as you are going to use. These items spoil quickly, and if you don’t use them in time, that is money wasted. For example, if you are living alone, and want to purchase apples, add a few single pieces of fruit to a baggie rather than buying the pre-bagged pack.

• Looking for frozen produce is a great idea because they last longer and allow for portion-controlled servings. Make sure to buy produce that is in season for a cheaper price and a better taste.

Purchasing Tactics:

A great grocery shopping piece of advice is to purchase meat in bulk. Buying a larger quantity of meat is a better deal, and it will last longer as well. Buying items that you frequently purchase in bulk is also a good idea. It will save you time and money in the long run. You should also limit your purchase of already prepared foods. Though they are extremely convenient, they are way more expensive than just buying the ingredients and making a meal yourself. When you are grocery shopping, you should focus on buying store branded items. These are a fraction of the price of name branded options and have the same exact quality!

Eat Before You Shop:

Before you go grocery shopping, make sure you eat. Going to the store hungry will urge you to buy everything that comes into sight. Having a full stomach before shopping will help you think with a clear mind, and only buy the items you need. Also, make sure shop during slow times, such as late at night, early in the morning, or during work hours. A crowded store is overwhelming and can cause you to spend more time in the store than you would like.

All these tips will help make your grocery shopping trips go more smoothly, all while saving you money and stress. Planning is key! Once you master grocery shopping, creating and eating healthy meals will be just that much easier.