Does anyone get excited to take a trip to the grocery store these days? Have you come home with random things due to impulsive buying? Do not let your excitement break your pocketbook. Here are a few healthy and money saving tips to help you plan your next trip to the store.
Tip #1. See what you have on hand first. Make your list according to what you need. Keep a running list on your refrigerator; therefore, when something is needed, write it down on the list. Now, there are apps on your phones that allow you to create a grocery list as well as inviting other members of your household to add to the list. If pen and paper is your style, do what works for you!
Tip #2. Plan your meals for the week. Once you know what you have on hand, it makes planning your meals a lot easier. This is where MyPlate comes in. Try to plan meals to mimic MyPlate as much as possible. For example, spaghetti is crowd pleaser. Ground-meat or meat balls can represent your protein and whole wheat pasta can serve as your grains. The sauce which can include carrots, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes adds a few vegetables to your plates. A side of green beans can be your main vegetable dish, and for a sweet treat, fruit with yogurt for dessert! You may not always have time to plan your meals, but you can use MyPlate to help guide you to make healthy choices for you and your family.
Tip #3. Stick to your list. Do not deviate from it! That may sound extreme, but you understand. By having a list, you can stick to your budget. Another piece to the pie is to try and make your list according to the layout of the store. This can help you get in and out of the store quicker and avoid going up-and-down the aisles that may lead to impulsive buying.
Tip #4. Try to avoid going to the store when you are hungry. You may have heard this before, but it is true. Our rumbling stomachs may lead us to grabbing a few things that we were not planning to buy.
Tip #5. If possible, shop your local farmers’ market; however, if that is not feasible, buy produce in season. It is cheaper. If shopping for canned vegetables, check out the unit price. For example, a store brand can of green beans can cost around $0.50 for a 14.5oz can compared to the name brand green beans which can cost around $0.68 for a 14.5oz can. The store brand is 3.4cents/oz verses name brand of 4.7cents/oz. This may not seem like a big difference, but in the end, every cent adds up!
For more general nutrition information and/or questions, please feel free to contact me at email@example.com. Be sure to “Like” our Facebook Page, Pointe Coupee Parish Extension Office-LSU AgCenter to get more information on all extension activities in our parish.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture