Surpass Shopping Stress

The grocery store can be an intimidating atmosphere, especially during the holiday season. It is also normal to feel stressed when trying to maintain a budget while in a grocery store. Minimize your stress by following these simple, smart shopping tips!

· Don’t shop on an empty stomach—previous research has found that people who go grocery shopping while hungry are more likely to purchase high-caloric food choices. Going to the store with a satisfied stomach will result in your cart full of more nutritious options while staying within your budget and ignoring the less nutritious, unnecessary items.

· Stay organized—creating a meal plan before you take a trip to the grocery store is a great way to ensure that you stay within your budget and to minimize food waste. Create a shopping list that coordinates with the layout of the grocery store to make your shopping trip much faster.

· Check for deals—save a few bucks by cutting out coupons from the local newspaper or other sources. Keep up to date with the supermarket's specials and be sure to check out the in-store discounted shelves with items close to their expiration date, yet still good to consume. 

· Buy bulk—items such as herbs, spices, nuts, etc. are often sold in bulk at a discounted price. If you frequently use these items, bulk buying may be best to save money.

· Consider canned/frozen—canned and frozen fruits and vegetables may be a cheaper option than buying fresh. When purchasing canned and frozen, look for packaging that says low sodium or no-sugar-added/no-salt-added. Be on the lookout for good deals and stock up on these non-perishable food items along with items such as bottled water, pasta and more. 

· Cooking cheats—save some money by purchasing tougher cuts of meat, but cook it in a slow cooker with frozen vegetables. This cooking method will tenderize the meat and create a delicious meal! 

· Cook and freeze—cook large amounts of food in your spare time, and freeze the food. The frozen food can be reheated quickly to provide meals during the weekdays when you are short of time.

· Shopping rewards—most grocery stores have a loyalty card or rewards program. Be sure to look into signing up for these programs at your local grocery store in order to take full advantage of deals and sales to save money!

For more information on how to minimize your shopping stress, visit: https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/smart-shopping/save-time-and-money-at-the-grocery-store