Four Easy ways to Trim Your Grocery Bills
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When GoBangalore was looking at the different issues Bangaloreans are facing, shopping was one thing that we identified that needed attention. Most weekends we are out grocery shopping and stock up for the week. What we fail to notice is that a part of it goes to the trash can. A waste, however small it is, is still a waste. Our research led us to discover Kate Geagan, green nutritionist and author of the book Go Green Get Lean. Following Kate’s 4 easy ways to trim your grocery bills can surely make a difference.
Here is what she has to say:
1. If You Buy It, Use it.
According to the UK study, fruits and veggies that had spoiled before being eaten were the #1 source of food waste in British households. We suspect it may be the same on this side of the pond too-after all, while it can feel good to buy healthy-sounding food with best of intentions, actually ushering it onto the plate is another matter. So if you’re loading up your cart at the supermarket in a moment of health consciousness, be sure your enthusiasm doesn’t fizzle before you actually serve it. While certainly not an excuse to stick to a “produce-free” diet that’s dietician approved, the simple act of planning and following through will save you money (and time too-no more fishing out foul stuff from the fridge).
2. Eat in order of most perishable first.
Decide what needs eating first-and be sure they’re in easy view in your fridge. For instance-fragile berries are most perishable, so serve those first. Heartier summer fruits like melon can last a bit longer, so save those for later in the week. Baby spinach gets eaten before heartier veggies like baby carrots or potatoes. And so on.
If you’re buying at the market, ask if you can have a few ripe fruits, as well as some that will be perfect in a few days-one of the bonuses of buying directly from the farmer.
3. Don’t Supersize It.
Unless your family resembles that of John & Kate plus Eight, buying large amounts of food, especially perishable food, can backfire-and if you toss it before you eat it, you aren’t actually saving money then, are you? Don’t confuse bulk shopping with smart shopping- evaluate your bulk purchases, or other value driven pricing if it causes you to (1) blow through the food more quickly or (2) means your tossing portions of it out due to spoilage.
4. Serve Smaller Portions.
Supersizing our plates not only has the potential to supersize our backside (which we are guessing you knew), but also contributes to another reason we toss out all that plate waste. The heap of food scraps and mishmash at the end of a meal that gets tossed in the trash is money down the drain. It’s also another reason we have an SUV diet of eating styles- as all of that food waste, when it gets to the landfill, releases the potent greenhouse gas methane-which is 23 X more warming than carbon dioxide.
You should finish a meal feeling satisfied, not stuffed. Smaller portions will help you keep your diet and your budget on track. And save leftovers, no matter how small-for a snack or to be part of the next meal.
