Trying to get the most out of the food you buy isn't a new concept, but with so many Americans feeling the pinch when it comes to household bills and budgeting, being able to squeeze as much as possible from your grocery shopping and purchases can help you avoid excess waste and ensure you still get exactly what you need when you do hit the store to stock up.
Let's look at some tips to help you avoid food waste.
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Set Your Budget
Setting a budget is your first step towards taking control of your grocery shopping. Knowing how much money you have before you go shopping empowers you to avoid overspending and ensures you get everything you need to make filling, nutritious meals for the entire family.
Know The Prices
Being aware of the cost of items you're planning to buy gives you a sense of control and resourcefulness. It helps you get an idea of what you can expect to spend on what you need, making you a savvy shopper.
Check Your Cupboards
Checking your cupboards and writing a list of everything you have can bring a sense of relief. It helps you see what you don't need to buy, plan your shop better, and avoid buying more of what you already have.
Meal Plan
What meals do you need and how much do you need to buy? A meal plan you make before you shop can help you ensure you only get what you need and can make meals from what you buy. Use this in conjunction with the above point to use up existing foodstuffs and stretch things a little bit further.
Batch Cooking
Batch cooking can be a great way to help you stretch your budget. In some cases, the more you buy, the cheaper it is, so cooking in bulk and then freezing portions can help you to save more and ensure you have a backup of healthy meals. For instance, you can batch cook soups, stews, or casseroles. When you're batch cooking, you must know the maximum length of time meals can be stored in the refrigerator and freezer and how to reheat them best. Whether you learn how to reheat pizza you made or a takeout pizza to avoid throwing it away or the best way to reheat leftover rice, understand how to reheat food safely for the best results.
Bulk Meals Out
Staples like beans and pulses are great ways to help you ‘bulk out' some meals. This means you can use less meat and still get a healthy meal that fills you up. Of course, this won't work for all meals, but beans and pulses are incredibly cost-effective, making them perfect to stock up on when the budget is tight and turn into delicious meals.
Understand Dates
Different dates on products alert you to when they need to be used, and you should understand what they mean in relation to the product you buy.
The expiration date is the date you must use the product by, and if this date has passed, you should discard the product as it may not be safe to eat. However, the ‘use by' date, or ‘best if used by' date, is a guideline. Expiration dates are absolute, but ‘use by' dates are used when the manufacturer guarantees the product will be at its best. This means it is still safe to consume after the date but may not be at its best. ‘Sell-by' dates are similar to ‘use-by' dates, as is the ‘guaranteed fresh' label. They indicate when the product is at its best, but the product can still be consumed past this date.
This is a contributed post.
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