How to make your weekly food shop last longer
Updated: Mar 9, 2021
Fewer trips to the supermarket, especially right now are definitely a good thing.
Whether your self-isolating, wanting to avoid the queues, save money or reduce the temptation to splurge out of snacks, making your grocery shop stretch that bit further can help you do that.
The key is to reduce the number of perishable items you buy without compromising on healthier options and habits.
Here are my top tips to make your food shop last longer:
1 - Use your freezer
If you normally buy one loaf of bread, buy two and keep one in the freezer.
Meats such as minced beef and fish, that can be cooked from frozen are a quick source of protein.
Most supermarkets do a good selection of frozen fruits and vegetables which have just as many vitamins and minerals as their fresh counterparts.
Milk, when stored in plastic bottles can be frozen, this is a good option if you're not keen on long-life and plant-based milk.
Eggs can be stored by cracking them individually into a muffin tin and then moving them into a freezer bag once they have frozen.
2 - Try legumes
Canned, dried beans and legumes last for years.
They are highly nutritious and, if you are a meat-eater a can of lentils can replace the beef in a shepherd's pie, or mixed beans can be the basis of chilli - a perfect opportunity to experiment with some vegetarian dishes.
3 - Avoid pre-prepared veg and salad
Whole-veg lasts longer and is cheaper than the bagged option.
You'll find that a bag of salad lasts a couple of days whereas whole lettuce will easily last a week or more.
4 - Learn how to store your food properly
Storing food properly can dramatically extend its life.
It's possible to keep potatoes for several weeks, even months when stored correctly.
Potatoes left in a plastic bag and exposed to light will quickly go mouldy and sprout. Instead, try storing them in a basket in a cool, dark place.
5 - Empty your cupboards
We all gradually accumulate foods in our kitchen cupboards - bags of pasta, various nuts and seeds and random jars from your last health kick.</