However that doesn't mean you can't eat better, reduce food expenses and still enjoying tasty, nutritious meals. Here are 8 simple ways to shop while ensuring both your body and wallet stay healthy and fit!,1. Plan Ahead,Make your grocery list based on recipes/meals you plan to eat for the week with everyone's inputs before you leave home. Check what’s in the cupboard and fridge first. This ensures you buy precisely what you require and prevent wastage.,2. Look for alternatives,While we all need a good balance of key nutrients, searching for alternative cheaper options which still provide you with key nutrient intakes will go a long way in helping one save. For example, canned fish and beans can be one of your easiest and most inexpensive ways to get healthy omega-3 rich protein (fish) and cholesterol-lowering fiber (beans). Beans, lentils, pulses, tofu and soya based products are all excellent forms of protein and significantly cheaper than meat and fish. A one-cup serving of cooked beans, peas, lentils or tofu can replace a two-ounce serving of meat, poultry or fish.,3. Buy local and seasonal,Purchasing fresh berries in the winter or buying exotic fruits & vegetables is not practical. You won’t be getting the freshest options because they were shipped to you from hundreds (or thousands) of miles away to reach the store shelf. Instead, look for local produce in season and buy in bulk. It is cheaper and tastes better. You can cut, freeze or even dry them without having to worry about them spoiling.,4. Avoid frozen, pre-cooked, microwavable items,Cut down on ready meals as they are often high in salt, sugar or fat and highly processed. They will cost you at least double the unprepared versions, as you are paying a huge margin for the convenience and fancy packaging. Making your own meals is not only healthier, but works out much cheaper and can be fun!,5. Buy in bulk,There are many hypermarkets, local farmers market, whole sale producers that give you the best deals for your buck. They sell the products at a lower price because they don’t have the huge store overheads like staff, branding and prime real estate costs in malls. Buy common items, canned products, dry food and family favorites in bulk.,6. Watch the date,Supermarkets reduce prices on products that are close to their sell by date. Typically short shelf life products or perishables fall in this category, like bread, fruits, vegetables and meat.,7. Buy cheaper cuts,Some fish are hugely expensive but there are always local varieties around that are still affordable. Buy cheaper cuts of meat, such as shoulder of lamb instead of leg of lamb, or chicken thighs and drumsticks instead of breasts. Ask your fishmonger or butcher for any special daily deals.,8. Leave the kids and credit cards at home,Kids can help you to add unneeded items to your cart and give into temptation faster. Leave them at home with your spouse and get the grocery shopping done yourself. Pay in cash or with your debit card where possible. This way, you stick with a budget and your list.,Eat at home, before you go – shopping on a hungry stomach can increase your food bills by up to 15 percent. This is due to impulse-buying and cravings.,Join our community and exchange ideas, recipes, products & tips,© Basamh Marketing Co. Jeddah, KSA, 2019. All rights reserved.
