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Transcript
The goal of a good shop is high-quality food for minimal cost and if possible also enjoying the experience. So this video will cover some of the insights and tips that will help you make the most out of food shopping
The first major point I want to make is about supermarkets and marketing. Supermarkets are not just laid out by accident, they are very carefully planned to make sure you are encouraged to buy what they want you to buy. For example the commonly needed foods like milk are put at the back of the supermarket so you are forced to walk through the store to get there, and hence you are more likely to buy things along the way. Certain foods that have long storage life and make the store money, like processed and unhealthy foods, are put in key locations like checkouts, ends of aisles and at eye height in the aisles. Also note that there are never any clocks in supermarkets, because they don’t want you worrying about time, but rather spending as long as possible in the store. There are other tricks here but it is important for you to be aware that you are being manipulated and if you are not careful you may be externally conditioned to buy poor food choices.
So let’s talk about what you can do to get the most out of food shopping.
The first is go straight to the fruit and vegetable section first before anywhere else, then to the meat section if you eat meat or to the canned goods like lentils, beans, chickpeas and so on. Start with the healthy options on your shop and completely skip the aisles with soft drinks and chips entirely or until the end.
The next tip is to save money where you can. Consider going to supermarkets that price lower. Supermarkets that are located in wealthier areas are more expensive than those in lower socioeconomic areas and certain chains like ALDI are often cheaper than other chains. You can also buy more discounted special that are usually available and if possible buy in bulk. Often the most expensive foods are quality cuts of meat, so called “superfoods” and some nuts and seeds. Whilst I encourage you to have small serves of nuts and seeds
the truth is almost always you do not need these other so called “superfoods” to be healthy as it is just plain marketing of the latest fad. For example there are more antioxidants per gram in red cabbage than goji berries and acai berries. So just eat real vegetables! The healthiest and cheapest foods are often those that can be stored for a while like canned foods beans, lentils, chickpeas, frozen vegetables and frozen berries. Often going to a local weekend farmers market can be both enjoyable and cheaper for fresh vegetables and fruit.
To add some variety and flavour check out the sauces from various cultures like asian food, italian, mexican, indian and so on. The main thing to watch here is look at the nutrition label and check the sugar content. Choose the brand with the lowest amount of added sugar.
When you are preparing to shop remember a few key things. First – don’t shop hungry! If you go to the shops hungry you are far far more likely to want to snack and buy snacks and high calorie unhealthy food. So have something before you leave like a piece of fruit. Also, take a list and pre-plan your meals. Check out all the recipe links I gave you in past tips and plan ahead. Again this will make you much less likely to randomly buy bad foods.
Ok, so hopefully that helps you get the most out of your shopping experience and remember to set yourself up for success.