How to Grocery Shop For Maximum Efficiency
FITTRAX and ATHLEISURE COLLECTIVE teamed up to share tips on how to grocery shop for your maximum efficiency! This guide will start by getting you into the right mind set for success; then will give you tips while you’re at home and while you’re at the store so that you will be efficient while grocery shopping. Enjoy and happy shopping!
GET INTO THE RIGHT MINDSET!
Be healthier to be wealthier.
Consider the money you'll save down the road by eating well today and teaching your family to make wise food choices. Good nutrition means fewer days missed from work and school and fewer medical bills now and in the future.
Expect to spend a little extra time buying groceries – at least at first.
Making lists, checking store flyers, and comparing unit prices on packages take time. Give it a few weeks, and you'll get faster.
Make your mantra: Raw, Whole, and Bulk!
Raw and whole foods are not prepared or processed. These items usually cost less than buying their pre-cooked and ready-to-eat counterparts. Buying staples in bulk also can mean some huge savings on those family favorites.
Start a love affair with your freezer.
When you prepare a recipe, you can double it and put the extra portions in the freezer. You’ll be glad it’s there on that night when nothing goes as planned. Instead of calling for home delivery from your local fast-food place, you can quickly cook one of your delicious pre-cooked, frozen meals (or even a FITTRAX meal) that you know your family loves. When freezing, add a date to the outside package and eat the items with the earlier dates first.
AT HOME
Keep a running grocery list.
Each trip to the supermarket will cost you extra time and gas money. By keeping a list, you won't have to run out for single items. Plus, fewer trips to the grocery store means fewer impulse buys.
Plan your menus around the sales.
Planning is key. When creating your menus, have a plan for leftovers such as making sandwiches with extra servings of chicken or pot roast.
Review several supermarket flyers or look for their specials online. You'll save the most money on sales for meats.
Follow your favorite grocery store brands on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and/or Facebook!
You'll find some great bargains and coupons this way.
Find a quality meal prep company!
You may find that the time it takes to plan, shop, prepare, enjoy, and clean up for home cooking every meal can be overwhelming and leave you to skip out on meals.
FITTRAX offers high quality nutritional meals saving you both time and money so you can then enjoy the important things in life.
Grow your own.
Plant tomatoes, peppers, carrots, lettuce and more. Save money, have fun, and get better flavor at the same time.
Cook more meals at home.
You get to control the ingredients, and you won't have the labor costs involved with restaurant meals.
Identify the foods you can prepare more cheaply at home.
There's no need to buy prepared gelatin, pudding, and tea when they're simple and inexpensive to make yourself.
Serve appropriate portions, especially with higher-priced items like meats and cheeses.
Save money and take care of your waist by not overeating.
Stretch chicken breast by cutting them into thin cutlets.
Add lentils or oats to extend ground meat.
Do a 5-minute inventory of your refrigerator at least twice a week.
Find a use for everything before it goes bad. Toss wilting vegetables into a pot of soup or spaghetti sauce. Freeze leftovers for another day and ripe bananas for banana bread or smoothies.
AT THE GROCERY STORE
Use coupons only for foods you normally buy.
Try to shop on double & triple-coupon days.
Invite the kids.
Shop with your kids and show them how to choose healthy fruits and vegetables.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry — or when the kids are hungry.
Have snacks before heading out to help you resist those impulse buys.
Don't reward with candy.
Don't use candy as a reward for your kids' good behavior while shopping.
Stock up!
Buy extra canned and frozen goods, cereals, and even meats and fish when they're on sale. Wrap meats in a freezer bag before freezing.
Limit the use of pre-packaged foods, chips, cookies, candy, and soft drinks or sugary beverages.
Buy generic.
Store brands often are as good or better than the pricier name brand.
Compare ingredients lists and Nutrition Facts panels.
Check unit prices or prices per serving.
Search high and low because often the least expensive items are on the top and bottom shelves.
Use these high-nutrition, low-cost foods!
Instead of expensive meats, try beans, lentils, eggs, peanut butter, tofu, and canned fish (Salmon, Tuna or Crabmeat).
You also can usually find good prices on grains including oats, brown rice, and barley.
Sweet and white potatoes are low-cost filling options.
Frozen fruit and vegetables are rich in nutrients and less expensive than their fresh counterparts.
Brought to you by Mark at FITTRAX
Learn more about Mark on our About Page
Engage with them on Instagram @fittraxmeals
Find out more about FITTRAX
“Add positivity to the world!”