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Amongst other frequent activities that classify as chores, grocery shopping is one that we usually do in a way where ingredients and stocks are bought for the kitchen – with adequate planning or in a way that’s random but decisive. However, amongst the top ‘sins’ that make grocery shopping counter-productive or unsustainable – is the impulsive buying or tendency to overspend on these expeditions. This apart, shopping badly also influences our eating habits in the larger scheme of things, putting our well-being and safety at risk. Below is a list of shopping habits to break while on a grocery run.
Shopping Hungry
Running a quick errand to the grocery store when hungry is only going to result in a long list of unnecessary and most likely, unhealthy purchases that can push one to the point of binge-eating. On the other hand, you might also miss out on picking what really needs to be replenished, with the intent of just ending the shopping trip as quickly as possible. When you’re hungry, shopping is usually influenced by momentary cravings than keeping in mind the nutritional value of ingredients or whether something is an essential purchase.
Only Organic Buys
Although organic food is cleaner than most mass-produced grocery items, it is also fairly expensive and not always worth the extra penny. This is true especially in the case of fresh ingredients like bananas, mangoes or avocados – where the peel is going to be discarded anyway. Unless you plan on eating something whole – grains, apples, leafy greens or berries, steer clear of the organic aisle and opt for something within your budget.
Buying In Bulk
If you find yourself at the supermarket getting a great deal on basmati rice or cooking oil that is not likely to be used up in a short-planned span of time, it is in vain to shell more money and add to the food wastage problem. If buying two dozen eggs for a cheaper price or closer in margin to what you’d pay for a box would be effective in using them up within a week or ten days, pick them up by all means. However, if that five kilo bag of flour is going to be sitting in your pantry until it is infested with bugs, it is advisable to find someone who might need it, sooner than later.
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Peak Hour Shopping
Navigating through a crowded grocery aisle is the equivalent of having a bad day! Avoid shopping for groceries on your way back from work or picking up the kids from school and make time during a quieter time of the day to visit. This allows you to be more conscious of the purchases you’re making, how much of something is needed and whether what you pick up is an essential or a luxury item.
Carrying Shopping Totes
If you’re out grocery shopping or decide to go on an expedition last minute, make sure you have a couple of cotton tote bags in reserve. Avoid buying single use plastic bags, which might not offer the right kind of protection to delicate leafy greens or a carton of milk. If you’re bringing home warm paneer or a tub of ice cream, place them in a separate tote bag, to avoid spillage or temperature transfer.
Shopping Once A Week
While it is a fact that our week is always packed with more tasks at hand than we can manage to get done, shopping in shorter spans of time, more frequently, allows you to enjoy fresher food with a higher nutritional value. Having freshly bought ingredients to cook with can enhance your interest in being involved while preparing meals, as well as a great way to keep track of what’s in season. Eating food that has been sitting in your shelf or refrigerator for a shorter span of time is an excellent way to keep your immunity intact and enhance your moods.
