Eating out excessively and or wracking up expensive Doordash bills can be a tough habit to curb, especially when you have a busy schedule and seemingly few alternatives. Learning to grocery shop effectively is a great way to cut food costs and get a healthy balance of nutrients.
Make A List and Stick To It
Create a list of things you want to make and then shop accordingly. Sticking to a shopping list can deter you from making impulse purchases and prevent you from spending extra money on groceries. Something else to keep in mind when shopping for produce is the expiration date. Be aware of when food will spoil and plan your meals accordingly to avoid having to throw out unused food items. Most things can be placed in the freezer to prolong its shelf life.
Avoid Precut or Preprepared
Precut fruits, veggies, meat, etc. will always be more expensive than their whole counterparts. The less processed options will most likely yield higher servings allowing you to stretch its use farther.
Figure Out What You Like
What do you like to eat? Pinterest is a great tool to help you find recipes that feature ingredients you enjoy. If you’re a fan of Chipotle, then a copycat cilantro lime rice and chicken bowl might be the recipe for you. As you cook dishes more frequently, preparation for them will get easier. Trying different recipes is also a great way to increase the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator, so you can make less frequent grocery runs.
Kitchen Staples
Keeping your fridge and pantry stocked with staples items such as rice/pasta, eggs, vegetables, deli meat, etc., will allow you to put together a quick meal in a pinch or when you’re in between grocery trips.
Meal Prep
Meals can be made in advance, so you can still have a healthy meal without the stress of cooking. Madison Wooderson has a great article on meal prepping, which is available on Mannahepeins’ website.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Leftovers
Cooking large portions is a great time and money saver. You can also keep leftovers in the freezer to prolong their shelf life.
Graphic by: Madison Wooderson
