10 Things You Should Skip at The Grocery Store
Updated: May 07, 2022Ever wonder what food isn't worth buying at the grocery store? Here's what to skip on your next trip!
Pre-Cut Vegetables
Pre-cut vegetable trays may save you a couple minutes in the kitchen, but they’ll end up being way more expensive than if you chopped them yourself. To stay efficient on a budget, chop your carrots, peppers and more all at once and store ’em in the fridge until you need to use them. (Here are 40 ways to roast that pre-cut veg.)
Store-Bought Dressing
It may be easier to buy bottled dressing at the grocery store, but it’s so much cheaper (and more tasty) to make your own. The store-bought kind is often full of ingredients that you can’t pronounce, too. Plus, homemade dressing is super easy to make!
Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
You might think you’re doing yourself a favor by choosing reduced fat peanut butter over the regular stuff. But reduced fat PB often has more sugar and sodium! Plus, peanut butter is a good source of healthy fat.
Prepared Lunches for Kids
Forget the Lunchables. You’ll want to make your kiddos a healthy homemade lunch to take to school instead. Prepared lunch packs are often full of unwanted processed ingredients, too much sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. Try brown-bagging some make-ahead recipes your kids will love!
Any 100-Calorie Packs
100-calorie snack packs are a great portion-control tool—but you can save money by making your own. The store-bought packs are usually empty-calorie foods (like cookies or chips) that won’t keep you satisfied, either.
Change things up by making healthy 100-calorie snacks at home!
Flavored Instant Oatmeal Packets
Oatmeal can be a quick, convenient breakfast, especially when you have hectic mornings. (I know the feeling!) But flavored instant oatmeal packs can be full of added sugar, so it’s better to buy a big container of old-fashioned oats. You can make overnight oats to have for the whole week.
Store-Bought Baked Goods
You may be tempted to snag that $6 loaf of banana bread, but don’t give in. Store-bought baked goods are a splurge, and let’s be honest, homemade baked goods taste better. (Plus, you can control the ingredients.)
Frozen Waffles or Pancakes
Frozen breakfast items might seem like a good time-saving purchase, but you’re better off making your own and freezing. Homemade pancakes and waffles can be a breeze if you make your own DIY baking mix! You’ll save a few bucks (and you can use the baking mix for other stuff, too).
Frozen TV Dinners
Frozen TV dinners can be tempting to buy at the grocery store, but don’t give in. Even when they’re labeled as “healthy” options, frozen meals are often full of processed ingredients, salt and saturated fat. You can make dinner at home in 15 minutes or less—we promise!
Flavored Yogurt
Sure, flavored yogurt may be more appetizing than plain yogurt, but it’s often heavy on the added sugar and artificial flavors.
Psst…We taste-tested 5 popular yogurt brands. Here’s our top pick.
