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SNAP4CT Blog

5 Tips to Make Grocery Shopping Easier

8/28/2018

20 Comments

 
​There never seems to be enough time! This can make the idea of grocery shopping for healthy foods seem impossible. We get it – and we want to help. The following tips will help you breeze through the grocery store. You’ll save money, time, and even make healthier choices with just a little planning.    
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1. Plan Your Meals

Meal planning is super important in making smart food choices. This may sound familiar, since we just talked about it in “6 Tips for Shopping at CT Farmers Markets.” But it really is that important.
​
Spend some time looking through SNAP4CT’s recipes, pick a few that you like. Think about what ingredients you already have. Then think about what you need to buy. Oftentimes, after stocking your pantry, you will only need a few fresh items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats. Making a little extra of a recipe for dinner can also mean that you will have leftovers for lunch. Or, you could freeze any extra to have at another time. Both are great time-savers.

 

2. ​Make a Shopping List

As part of meal planning you really need a list! There is just too much to remember every day. Writing things down, or keeping a list on your phone, will help you focus. You won’t forget items and you will be less likely to buy treats on impulse. Grocery stores love to entice us. They place foods at the ends of aisles in eye-catching displays. Don’t be fooled! Focus only on your list to stay on budget and on track.

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​Find a sample shopping list and weekly meal plan here.

3. Keep it Simple

vegetarian bean tacos
pasta salad with mixed vegetables
close up of peanut butter banana pumpkin sandwich
If you don’t like to cook, or prefer not to follow a recipe, you can still eat well. Think of your favorite quick, healthy meals and then focus on buying those basic ingredients. The "Budget Pantry" page will get you started on healthy food choices. And, following are some simple meal ideas.
  • Quick Bean Burritos: Canned beans, cheese, and corn on whole grain tortillas.
  • Vegetable Pasta: Whole grain pasta with garlic, frozen mixed vegetables, and pasta sauce.
  • Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich: Whole grain bread, peanut butter, and sliced banana.
  • Simple Meat Salad: Salad greens, chopped carrots, low sodium turkey meat, and shredded cheese. [Find tips on Building a Better Salad here].
  • Anytime Cereal: Whole grain cereal, chopped nuts, and low-fat (or skim) milk.
  • Fruit & Yogurt Parfait: Nonfat vanilla yogurt, frozen strawberries (defrosted), and whole grain cereal.
For more ideas, see Quick and Easy Recipes.

4. Shop When You Don't Have Time

We know it sounds silly, but having limited time means you focus on buying only what you need.  This won’t be hard because you’ve already planned your meals and made a list (right?). Give yourself a time limit and make shopping a hunt for just what you need with no browsing. You can do it!  ​

5. Leave the Kids at Home

This only applies if you have kids of course. And, we understand that it isn’t always possible. But, it is likely to make the trip faster and your cart cheaper. Companies use bright colors and cartoon characters to draw a child’s attention to certain products. Stores even put items at eye height for children to see. This can lead to kids begging for unhealthy choices. It can be hard not to give in. Without the kids you can focus on getting only what you need with no distractions.

Everyone wants just a little more time in their day. Hopefully with these tips and practice, you will find grocery shopping faster, easier, and  less expensive. 
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9/29/2022 04:36:42 pm

It's great that you mentioned that it is a good idea to focus on healthy meals when you are trying to make grocery shopping easier. I would think that it would be a good idea to get food ingredients that are organic and fresh. Shopping at an international food market seems like a good way to find ingredients that are fresh and organic.

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I thought it as interesting how you recommended shopping when you're short on time so you only buy what you need. I've been struggling with grocery shopping these last two months, so I've been looking for advice. I'll have to try this out and see how it works for me.

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© COPYRIGHT 2018.  ​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.  
SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet.
​To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at
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  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Categories >
      • Kid Friendly Recipes
      • No Added Sugar
      • Vegetarian Recipes
      • Heart Healthy Recipes
      • Five Ingredients or Less
      • Quick and Easy Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Dips and Salsas
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Meatless Meals
    • Meals with Meat
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups and Stews
    • Sodium Free Spice Blends
    • Recetas
  • Farmers Markets
    • Find a Farmers Market
    • CT Crop Calendar
    • Using SNAP/EBT at Farmers Markets
  • Education
    • Healthy Eating >
      • MyPlate
      • Understanding The Nutrition Label
      • Added Sugar
      • Healthy Snacking Tips
      • Calories Needed Each Day
      • What is "enough" fruits and vegetables
      • Recipe Videos
    • Budget Shopping >
      • Healthy Shopping on a Budget
      • What Can $16 Buy?
      • Budget Pantry
    • Diabetes >
      • Healthy Eating with Diabetes
      • "Diabetes-Friendly" Recipe Guide
    • Heart Health
    • Exercise Tips
    • Physical Literacy
    • Water First for Your Thirst
  • SNAP4CT Blog
  • Resources
    • DSS Offices and SNAP Help
    • FAQ
    • Free Health Events in CT
    • Organizations
    • SNAP-Ed Events Calendar
    • Healthy Food Pantry Donations