Cut Costs, Buy Wisely
Not everything in your grocery cart is a smart buy. Some items spoil faster than expected, others cost more than they’re worth, and a few end up untouched until they expire. Here are some of these waste buys.
Bagged Salads
Due to excess moisture, bagged salads often wilt within days. This makes them prone to waste. Instead, buy whole lettuce heads, wash them thoroughly, and keep them properly to maintain freshness and reduce waste. Studies have found that pre-washed greens can harbor bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes.
Bagged Salads (Cont.)
But how do you keep them fresh after buying whole? It’s easy: Store greens with paper towels in airtight containers will help keep them fresher longer. While pre-bagged salads offer convenience, they often come with a significant markup.
Specialty Condiments
That exotic mustard or hot sauce may seem like a great addition to your kitchen, but many specialty condiments expire before they’re fully used. The USDA notes that mustard lasts up to a year, while mayonnaise should be used within two months. There is more.
Specialty Condiments (Cont.)
Specialty condiments like truffle oil or gourmet ketchup can be enticing additions to your pantry. Still, they often end up unused, which leads to higher costs per use compared to staples like mustard or mayonnaise. Opting for versatile condiments ensures better value and minimizes the risk of spoilage.
Exotic Spices
Exotic spices are exceptional food additives but can be costly, and if used infrequently, purchasing them in large quantities may not be economical. Opt for smaller amounts from bulk spice sections to ensure freshness and reduce waste. Then, ensure you properly store them in airtight containers and use before expiration.
Exotic Spices (Cont.)
Did you know that spices lose potency after six months? Yes, they do, yet many people buy them in large jars that last years. Purchasing small amounts prevents waste and enhances dish quality. Ground spices should be replaced every 4 to 8 months for optimal flavor as they maintain their best flavor usually during this period.
Prepared Deli Meats
Deli meats spoil within five days of purchase, yet some shoppers buy them in bulk. The USDA advises that processed meats should be eaten within three to five days of opening to prevent bacterial growth. If you purchase only what you need, you ensure freshness and avoid waste.
Prepared Deli Meats (Cont.)
Another reason for buying pre-packaged deli meats in portions is that they contain preservatives with a limited shelf life. They could last about two weeks when unopened, but that’s pushing it. Whole, vacuum-sealed cuts of turkey or ham stay fresh longer, and slicing at home preserves freshness.
Artisanal Breads
Freshly baked bread without preservatives can become stale within days, which leads to waste if you buy in excess. Freezing half immediately helps preserve freshness and prevent unnecessary spending. Another downside of buying excess is that whole artisan loaves dry out if not consumed quickly.
Artisanal Breads (Cont.)
Buying a few bakery rolls or baguettes about twice or once a week offers better portion control. During that week, store bread in a paper bag or wrap it in a spotless towel; it helps maintain its texture for a few days. Just a few days, not weeks.
Gourmet Cheeses
It's advisable to consume soft cheeses within 7 days to avoid spoilage. Soft cheeses like Brie or blue cheese mold quickly due to their high moisture content. Hard cheeses last longer but can dry out if not stored properly. Wasting cheese is an expensive mistake you don’t want to make.
sweet marshmallow, Shutterstock
Gourmet Cheeses (Cont.)
You could wrap the gourmet cheese in wax or parchment paper to prevent moisture buildup and extend freshness. But buying in bulk for months, don’t do that. Instead of buying large blocks, opt for smaller portions to reduce waste while enjoying fresh, high-quality cheese.
Bulk Greens
Buying spinach and arugula in bulk may seem economical, but they wilt quickly. Pre-cut and bagged greens spoil soon after purchase due to excess moisture. But there is a hack: Place a paper towel inside an airtight container to absorb excess moisture, extend freshness, and prevent premature spoilage.
Bulk Greens (Cont.)
Opting for smaller quantities is the surest way to reduce waste. Cutting whole lettuce heads as needed also keeps salads fresher. Additionally, storing greens away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas can prevent premature wilting.
Fresh Herbs
A bundle of cilantro or basil often wilts before a second use, as fresh herbs typically last about a week. Storing them properly extends freshness, but freezing chopped herbs in olive oil using ice cube trays allows you to preserve their flavor and makes them convenient for future meals.
Fresh Herbs (Cont.)
Growing small potted herbs at home is the best way to ensure a continuous supply and reduce money spent. For purchased fresh herbs, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them inside a sealed plastic bag or airtight container to prolong their freshness and flavor.
Bottled Water
Purchasing single-use bottled water is costly and environmentally unfriendly. Opting for a reusable water bottle and a home filtration system provides significant savings and reduces plastic waste. Tap water in many areas is safe and more economical.
Bottled Water (Cont.)
Additionally, filling a reusable bottle with tap water reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79% compared to using single-use bottled water. With reusable options, you contribute to environmental conservation and enjoy a cost-effective, sustainable hydration solution.
Myrtle Beach TheDigitel, Flickr
Bottled Smoothies
Store-bought smoothies often contain high sugar levels and can spoil quickly, with some separating within days. Pre-packaged smoothies may lose nutrient value over time, but if you make fresh smoothies at home, it allows for better control of ingredients and reduces waste.
Bottled Smoothies (Cont.)
Purchasing bottled smoothies in bulk can also lead to unused portions expiring before consumption. A better solution could be freezing homemade smoothies in portion-sized containers to help prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. The USDA recommends checking expiration dates to ensure product quality.
Pre-Made Sandwiches
Grocery store sandwiches may seem convenient, but they often sit for hours, which leads to soggy bread and stale ingredients. The FDA recommends consuming perishable foods left at room temperature within 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth, which makes unrefrigerated pre-made sandwiches an unreliable option for meal planning.
Pre-Made Sandwiches (Cont.)
If you take a closer look, you’ll also find that pre-made sandwiches have a higher price tag than homemade versions. Therefore, making your own saves money and ensures fresher ingredients. For convenience, prepare sandwiches the night before and store them properly to keep them fresh for the next day.
Pre-Made Chicken Stock
Store-bought chicken stock often contains high sodium levels, with some brands reaching up to 860 mg per cup. In contrast, homemade stock allows for precise control over sodium content and overall flavor. Financially, making stock at home using leftover bones and vegetable scraps is cost-effective, reducing expenses.
Pre-Made Chicken Stock (Cont.)
Additionally, homemade stock is free from preservatives and artificial additives commonly found in commercial products, promoting a healthier diet. By simmering bones, you can extract beneficial nutrients like collagen, enhancing the nutritional value of your meals. Therefore, preparing chicken stock at home is both a healthier and more economical choice.
Pre-Cooked Rice And Grains
Pre-cooked rice and grains offer convenience but often come at a higher cost and may lose flavor over time. For instance, instant rice is more expensive than regular rice, with the "cracking" process leading to a significant increase in price.
Pre-Cooked Rice And Grains (Cont.)
Moreover, if you cook rice and grains from scratch in larger batches and freeze leftovers, it can save money and reduce waste. It's significantly cheaper to use a rice cooker and freeze the leftovers than purchasing pre-cooked rice.
Frozen Vegetables With Ice Crystals
Ice crystals on frozen vegetables indicate freezer burn, which leads to diminished taste and texture. The FDA states that while freezer-burned food remains safe to eat, its quality might be compromised. Vacuum-sealed packaging minimizes air exposure, which preserves the quality of frozen vegetables longer than bulk-packed options.
Frozen Vegetables With Ice Crystals (Cont.)
Here’s the trick: Large bags of frozen vegetables can be economical, but improper sealing may lead to quality degradation. Portioning vegetables into smaller, airtight containers prevents clumping and extends usability. Maintain a freezer temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or below to preserve their quality and prevent waste.
Name-Brand Coffee
Supermarkets often mark up the price of name-brand coffee, which makes it an expensive choice. Purchasing whole Arabica beans from a big-box store and grinding them at home can provide a fresher taste at a fraction of the cost.
Name-Brand Coffee (Cont.)
Grinding your own beans preserves vital oils and compounds that pre-ground coffee often loses. This enhances both flavor and aroma. Additionally, customizing the grind size allows for better control over the brewing process, resulting in a cup tailored to your preferences.
Room 76 Photography, Adobe Stock
Flavored Yogurt Multipacks
The USDA highlights yogurt as a commonly wasted perishable item. So, buying single-serve portions or larger plain tubs is better because it allows for customization with fresh fruit and ensures every serving is enjoyed. Multipacks often include flavors that go uneaten, leading to wasted containers.
Flavored Yogurt Multipacks (Cont.)
Opting for plain yogurt and adding natural sweeteners like honey or fresh fruit is a healthier, cost-effective alternative that reduces waste and allows meal customization. Flavored yogurts usually contain high levels of added sugars and artificial ingredients. Individuals may find certain flavors unappealing.
Single-Purpose Baking Ingredients
Specialty flours, extracts, and unique baking ingredients required for specific recipes often have limited shelf lives and may expire before being used again. Purchasing these ingredients from bulk bins allows consumers to buy only the necessary amounts. This reduces waste and ensures freshness.
Single-Purpose Baking Ingredients (Cont.)
Checking expiration dates before purchase prevents stocking up on items that won’t be used frequently. Instead of large packages, seek alternatives like multi-purpose flour or ingredients with longer shelf lives. Online recipe substitutions can help minimize the need for one-time-use ingredients.
Canned Goods From Sales
Buying canned goods on sale seems wise, but if unused, they expire and go to waste. The USDA states that improperly stored canned foods may lose quality faster. Rotating older cans to the front of the pantry ensures they are used before buying more.
Canned Goods From Sales (Cont.)
Bulk purchasing of canned goods should be strategic, and this is how you do it: Check labels for expiration dates and buy only what fits into your regular meal rotation. This prevents stockpiling unnecessary items. Also, keep an organized pantry to avoid forgotten cans expiring in the back.
Specialty Coffee Creamers
Flavored creamers are a delightful addition, but large bottles may expire before being fully used. It's advisable to consume opened liquid dairy creamers within 7 to 14 days when refrigerated. Choosing smaller cartons or plant-based alternatives, often with longer unopened shelf life, can help prevent unnecessary waste.
Specialty Coffee Creamers (Cont.)
Instead of buying flavored creamers in bulk, enhance regular milk with natural sweeteners like cinnamon or vanilla extract. Powdered creamers have a longer shelf life, which lasts up to two years. Simply get the store-opened liquid creamers in the coldest fridge section and consume them within 7–14 days.
Pre-Cut Fruits And Vegetables
Pre-cut produce may seem convenient, but it spoils quickly due to oxidation and bacterial exposure. Food waste is a major issue, with nearly 30% of food being discarded at the retail and consumer levels, according to the USDA. Buying whole fruits can help reduce waste and extend freshness.
Pre-Cut Fruits And Vegetables (Cont.)
Purchasing pre-cut fruits and vegetables often costs significantly more per ounce due to added labor and packaging expenses. For example, a whole pineapple is substantially cheaper per edible ounce than its pre-cut counterpart. Preparing produce yourself reduces waste, ensures freshness, and saves money over time.
Large Containers Of Cooking Oil
Oils like olive and vegetable oil can turn rancid if stored improperly. The USDA warns that exposure to heat, light, and air degrades their quality, where they develop off-flavors and lose nutritional value due to oxidation.
Large Containers Of Cooking Oil (Cont.)
Purchasing smaller bottles and storing them in cool, dark places with tight seals ensures fresher oil. For large quantities, transferring oil into smaller containers for daily use minimizes exposure and extends shelf life. Also, checking best-by dates before purchase prevents waste.
Packaged Fruit Snacks
Packaged fruit snacks, like fruit bars, usually contain added sugars and preservatives that can diminish their nutritional value. For example, a popular fruit bar can contain up to 10 grams of sugar each serving.
Packaged Fruit Snacks (Cont.)
In contrast, fresh fruits provide us with more nutrients, which include fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Also, they are naturally low in added sugars and preservatives. Fresh fruits are typically more cost-effective and versatile for meal planning.
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