Going to the grocery store is a routine part of so many lives, but these regular visits can really break the bank over time. A recent decade-long investigation of grocery stores has led to revelations that may forever change the way you approach buying food. With our help we hope you are going to uncover the best ways to save money and be healthier when you shop. Check out these 5 secrets to learn something new and spread the word to your loved ones from New Life Wellness & Weight Loss.
- THEY AREN’T TRYING TO TRICK YOU
man grabbing a carton of milk
While we’ve all heard rumors that the supermarket uses tricks to fool you into spending more money, I’m not so sure that is always true. One myth states that stores keep milk in the back area to force us to walk through all the aisles and pick up items we normally wouldn’t buy. The truth is, milk is near the back because that’s the logical place to put the giant coolers that they are stored in. If you do feel like you pick up a lot of non-essentials on your quest for basics like milk and bread, you can try making a list ahead of time to stay on track. Also, try looking up, down, left, and right when browsing the shelves, instead of focusing only on the items that are right in the center. You may find a more affordable product that is just as tasty but is simply in a less desirable spot because the company can’t afford the stocking fee to be center stage.
- Investigate the Labels
A lot of the choices consumers make at the grocery store can be driven by habit or a lack of information. For example, the term “whole grains” has become a huge buzzword in the supermarket industry and snacking companies are happily adopting it in their packaging content. The problem is that whole grains are often ground up into a flour and added to crackers or chips, creating the illusion of healthiness when that isn’t always the case. When the grains are ground up the healthy aspects fall to the wayside. Before you go to the store, research the ingredients and nutrients in the snacks you want to buy so you can come prepared and avoid wasting money on health halo foods.
- Don’t Buy the Wrong Produce
Tomatoes
Since consumers have come to expect all kinds of produce all year round, it can lead to less than stellar products for sale. Supermarket tomatoes, for example, are picked when they are still green and hard as a rock, far from the ripening stage. These not-quite-ready tomatoes can often travel long distances and they are then gassed with ethylene which turns them bright red so that they look ripened even if they actually aren’t. To buy the freshest tomatoes, go for the ones that don’t have a uniform color and have cracks or imperfections. The uglier the tomato, the tastier it will be.
- Avoid Pre-Washed Food
Head of lettuce
When you buy pre-washed lettuce, it may come from several different heads of lettuce versus just one when you buy it in its natural state. If just one head of lettuce is contaminated, all the lettuce in the bag can be contaminated too. When you buy lettuce that isn’t washed, it reduces the likelihood of it having E.coli or other harmful bacteria. To stay safe, take the extra time to wash your own fruits and vegetables instead.
- Ask Employees Questions
Supermarket employees actually have a wealth of knowledge that they are ready to share with you if you only ask. For example, they recommend avoiding tenderloin, because it’s the most expensive cut, pound for pound, but it lacks flavor. Instead, opt for chuck, Delmonico, or sirloin steaks. They take a little longer to cook at a lower temperature, but they will be more affordable and have more flavor. Also, instead of buying pre-cut chicken, you can buy it whole and ask for the butchers to cut it up for you for free. When buying deli meat, look for whole-cooked meats, aka “chubs”. Once you buy those, bring them to the deli section and they can slice it for you. Doing so will save you more than 50% compared to the brand name or store name meats. You can do the same with cheese, which will save you around $2 each time.
Hope these tips help. Happy grocery shopping!