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Top Tips For Grocery Shopping When You’re Living Alone 

By on May 24, 2024
Grocery Shopping When You’re Living Alone 

by Isabella Adams

Grocery shopping when you live alone seems easy because you expect it to be cheaper, but not without a strategy. You want to go for single-serving portions, which are more cost-effective. You also need a grocery list to avoid expensive purchases you don’t need or those that could quickly spoil. Here are the top tips for grocery shopping when you’re living alone.

Before Going Grocery Shopping

Shopping for one is a walk in the park as long as you have a working strategy that you stick to. For starters, there are a few things to do before restocking. Read on.

Maintain a Running List of Your Food Supplies Did you know that the easiest way to make a shopping list, especially when cooking for one, is by referring to a running inventory? Here is where you keep track of the items in your pantry and fridge. There is so much to account for, so you need a working system to help you remember what is about to spoil or is running out. Note down the perishables and long-lasting items and maintain a running record; this way, you save a lot of time when planning and drafting your list, so you won’t buy things you don’t need.

Plan Your Weekly Menu

One exciting part about living alone is that you can plan what to eat alone. The cheapest way is to cook in bulk and store what is left. When you have a menu or a weekly plan of the meals you will make, you can conveniently list the items you need according to what you will cook. If a recipe requires a particular ingredient, note it in your list, and while at it, make sure that you stick to it and avoid buying items you won’t use.

Eat Before You Go To the Store

The oldest trick in the book is to go grocery shopping on a full stomach. Have a hearty snack before shopping to shop smart and stick to your list. You may subconsciously buy items not on your list because they look appetizing or get costly snacks to eat on your way home.

Grocery Essentials for One Person

Your choice of groceries makes all the difference if you want to live well alone. The last thing you want is to buy food you don’t often eat and throw it out when it goes bad. Quality and quantity matter a lot; here is a breakdown of the essential food items you need when solo dining.

The Proteins

Proteins are a must-have on your shopping list. Options like eggs, beef, chicken, fish, tofu, beans, low-fat dairy, and seeds are ideal, but be cautious about buying only enough and storing them correctly. For instance, poultry and lean meats last months when frozen, while eggs can stay in the fridge for up to five weeks. Also, remember that you can always switch out options you don’t often eat, like natural nut butter instead of dairy.

The Veggies

Vegetable products are a necessity in your kitchen, whether cooked as part of meals or eaten raw in salads or smoothies. Fresh veggies like spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, and fresh herbs stay safe when refrigerated for up to a week. At the same time, onions, garlic, and potatoes can last for the same time in the panty unpeeled.

The Fruits

Whether you enjoy them raw in salads or smoothies, fruits are essential in your list. Stone fruits, bananas, apples, mangoes, berries, and citrus fruits are the best options for a healthy snack. Freshness depends on the type of fruit, so some will stay safe in the pantry, while others can last up to a week in the fridge.

The Grains

If you are keen on buying food that doesn’t spoil quickly, consider grains like oats, barley, rice, amaranth, buckwheat, teff, millet, and quinoa. You won’t have to worry about keeping them fresh; they are good for half a year when stored in a cool, dry place.

The Snacks

Sometimes, you want something to munch on before or after meals. While dried fruits are the healthiest snacks, you can add options like granola, popcorn, nuts, seeds, crisps, ice cream, Oreos, dark chocolate, crackers, and candy. They last a long time in your pantry, but remember to buy in moderation because some are not the healthiest options.

Grocery Shopping Tips To Stay In Budget

Shopping when living alone should save you money, but it only works if you can stay within your budget. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid going overboard.

Freezer Is Your Best Friend

If you want to maximize your budgeting, make sure that you never have to worry about your food going bad. It can be a challenge, especially when you live alone, so to be safe, make frozen food your best friend so you don’t have to throw out spoiled items.

Avoid the Prepared Food Section

It may be tempting to go for prepared food when you are too tired or too busy to cook, but that is not always cost-effective. You should instead buy foods that are easy to prepare, invest in ready-to-eat fruits and snacks, or make meal prep a habit.

Rethink on Store Deals

Another impulse buying trap that you can easily fall into is attractive store deals. You have to be careful not to over-buy because your favorite items are on sale. The trick is to stay within your budget; don’t buy too many products on sale only to have them go bad.

Go With Versatile Food Items

Some items are essential to your shopping list because of their versatility. These are the ones to buy in bulk since you can use them severally and for various reasons. Take eggs, for instance. You can make an omelet or scramble them for breakfast, hard boil them for snacking, make egg curry for dinners, use them for baking, and so much more.

Parting Shot

Shopping for one is one of the perks of living alone. It saves you time and is cheaper, provided that you do it correctly. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time. The more you keep a running inventory, make shopping lists, and stick to your budget, the easier it gets. You will have it all figured out in no time.

 

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Isabella is an experienced nutritionist and a passionate freelance writer, a contributing writer at Fastachi. She leverages her expertise to explore and discuss trending nutrition topics, aiming to foster a healthy and joyous relationship with food and the body. Her insights encourage others to embrace healthier lifestyle choices.

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