https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 02:39:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678982 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 14:43:30 +0000 travellingbee 2678982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like others have said, I always start in the produce section and only go down an aisle if I NEED something. I avoid soda, chips and cookie aisles. Also, ordering curbside or online groceries can help you stick to what you need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678949 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:58:40 +0000 gingerbebe 2678949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The reason I do frozen last is because I often stand there in the freezer case doing the "do I really need this" go back sorting in my shopping cart. Just taking a few minutes to look over my cart and taking things back saves me money. Then I throw in my frozen junk and leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678943 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:54:51 +0000 brownepiano 2678943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two things:<br /> 1. I make my own snacks if they are something processed (muffins, cookies) with the exception of pretzels. We almost never have crackers.<br /> 2. I make a list before we go to the store of EVERYTHING we are going to eat that week, including snacks, and make my shopping list at the same time. I put a rough price estimate next to each thing (I round up to the closest dollar or 50 cents). While I am planning I try to make sure that total stays at/under whatever is budgeted for the week. If my meals are too expensive, I pick something else or don't stock up on something we are running low on. When I am shopping I pay attention to how much the actual cost is compared to my estimate. If everything is under than I know I can safely buy one extra. If some are over, I know I'd better stick to my list and not buy anything extra. I shop at Aldi every time so estimating prices isn't hard for me since they have limited options. Since I round up it doesn't matter if it is 1.10 or 1.25 because I probably budgeted 1.50. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678935 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:45:47 +0000 PurplePumps 2678935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just don't walk down the isles with the junk and temp yourself. If you ever noticed the basic layout of every supermarket, veggies are on one side, meats on the other, and dairy along the back. All the isles are just filled with the junk food. Shop the perimeter and then get outta there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678890 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:07:28 +0000 Bao 2678890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: oh ok! No I just thought you meant if I didn't buy organic it would be cheaper. Must have read it the wrong way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678885 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:02:33 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2678885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I guess I was just responding to what you were saying about how cookies were more affordable than berries! I don't think of name brand snack foods as being less affordable than regular berries. But this is splitting hairs! Sorry :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678868 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 12:38:51 +0000 Bao 2678868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: I don't buy organic berries, I think maybe misunderstood? :) the frozen and fresh regular non organic berries here tend to run the same price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678864 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 12:37:32 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2678864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: another thing is...my kids don't snack every day. Maybe since they still nap, and because they don't wake up super early, but by the time they get hungry it is usually time for another meal. So expensive add ons like berries get used at meals and not as snacks. I definitely could not afford to do organic berries as an everyday snack. In fact I feel like my 4 yo's meal eating has suffered now that he is in preschool and he gets an afternoon snack.</p> <p>Try frozen berries! I prefer organic berries but I can't always afford them. I buy berries from the farmers market in the spring and freeze them, but also just the freezer section of the grocery store is good... Kroger had a massive bag of maine blueberries (not organic but at least USA berries) for 9 dollars last week and when my kid has snackes this week I have given him some of those (still frozen) to eat. That bag was probably equivalent of seven berry trays. Main time my kid ends up with a snack is at 5 when he's ready for dinner and I am cooking.</p> <p>One more thing...I am all for the fresh fruit, etc., But sometimes I have to acknowledge that in the winter it is unnatural for me to be eating pineapple, etc. I mean, that stuff is $$$, and forces me to question how it got to me (labor, supply chain, etc.). So we do a lot more applesauce and dried cranberries and nuts this time of the year. Stuff that culturally is appropriate for winter. Don't get me wrong we still buy our share of produce that is from overseas but I don't put pressure on the budget to buy stuff out of season in order to keep my diet totally consistent year round.</p> <p>I did buy some fresh USA strawberries at Publix this week. Not organic though...but still, spring is coming!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping/page/2#post-2678751 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:27:06 +0000 Bao 2678751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: oooh! I like the two transactions things, maybe that would be an eye opener. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678726 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:14:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2678726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: It also sounds like maybe taking a good look at your diet (not just meal plan but also snacks and all foods in general) would be good. What are things you could sub for snacks that are healthy? Have a plan before you go to the store. I feel like with kids snacks are a necessity but yes, berries and such are expensive! Do you do those little single servings cups of snack fruits? They go B1G1 at our store with 100% juice. We make our own apple sauce pouches or give kids bowls of apple sauce as a snack. Pretzels and PB are a good snack. Raisins mixed with a few craisins</p> <p>Another option I've heard about is to go ahead and put it all in your buggy but have them ring it up as two transactions. All of the necessities first and then all the special treats/snacks second. If nothing else it makes you realize how much your spending on snacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678708 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:04:13 +0000 Bao 2678708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: I don't think I've ever bought an organic produce item in my life lol, it's definitely not important to me. But for example regular berries can be $4-$5 a container! That's insane to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678707 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 11:02:21 +0000 Freckles 2678707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Ohhh yeah, i get that. But you definitely don't have to buy organic in order to be healthy! Unfortunately, DD is so picky with fruits that we end up buying strawberries in the middle of winter...which are so expensive, but we figure it's better than her getting scurvy. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678700 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:58:08 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2678700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Those chocolate chips from costco are my MAJOR weakness. </p> <p>We try to keep "cheap" fruit always on hand for the kids. Bananas, apples, clementines and canned fruit. From there we supplement with only whats in season. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678695 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:56:14 +0000 looch 2678695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about buying snacks online, maybe that would help you to be able to know you have something and not impulse buy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678686 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:53:31 +0000 Bao 2678686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: we don't buy organic, but berries for example are so much more expensive than a bag of cookies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678681 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:50:03 +0000 Freckles 2678681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When you say healthy items are more expensive, what are you referring to? Like organic snacks? </p> <p>I typically only shop around the perimeter of the grocery store unless i need specific things like peanut butter, jam, or coffee. I'll sometimes wistfully look at the box of oreos but know that they will be demolished by yours truly within 1 day and that causes me to keep walking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678676 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:47:54 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2678676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I start in meat/deli move on to produce and then dairy and then I wind my way through the middle of the store. I try to stick to a list based on recipes I hope to make for the week. I do buy a sweet treat, my husband and I enjoy dessert at night, but often its something I have to make instead of prepackaged stuff. My grocery store has an app that tells me where in the store things are, so I don't need to aimlessly wander the aisles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678671 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:44:34 +0000 caterw 2678671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: LOL! I am also a holiday candy thief. We keep anything DD gets in the freezer and she forgets about it. I'm supposedly saving it as a treat for her but often it's a treat for DH or me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678662 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:42:24 +0000 caterw 2678662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: omg this! Do not EVER go to the store hungry. I often pack a bunch of snacks for DD and I and we graze in the car on the way over and while we shop. I'm way less likely to put junky foods in the cart if I'm full or actively eating.</p> <p>I also like to price out my list at home before I even step foot in the store. I meal plan based on sales, check my freezer and pantry, then make a list. I write an approximate price next to every item so I will have a general idea of what I'm gonna spend. I tend to budget for one or two treats a week (typically a salty snack to go with sandwiches for lunch and I will often make a dessert with whatever I have laying around). </p> <p>When I get to the store, I shop the perimeter first (produce, meat, frozen, bakery) and then go into the middle aisles. I don't go down aisles when I don't need anything. Blinders on- don't look at the yummy displays! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678658 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:39:19 +0000 lamariniere 2678658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I rarely buy really junky food (but do buy snacks like rice cakes, dried fruit, etc) and avoid the aisle if I don't need anything in it. I have tried to do meal planing but I'm just not good at it. Instead, I look in the fridge before going to pick up the kids and decide if I need anything. I go to the grocery store nearly every day (small fridge, tiny kitchen), so I usually just buy 24 hours worth of food. It helps cut down on waste. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678519 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 00:31:56 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2678519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>100% of treats get made at home. So if I want cookies I have to make cookies. Or if I want cake I have to make it. Or if I want cheesy crackers I make them. One exception is ice cream. But I do make yogurt pops at home in the summer. </p> <p>I also consider expensive fruits to be a sometimes luxury (like grapes and berries). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678515 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 00:20:44 +0000 Boogs 2678515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I usually go hungry, but try so hard not to get stuff because after bedtime I like to snack. So, if I don't have it I can't eat it lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678491 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:35:24 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2678491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, snacks becomes a discipline issue because my kid will be trying to get it from me all the time. Snacks and juice have become no nos at my house because I feel like if I bring it in, I have to find a way to dole it out, and that is too frustrating for me to deal with, so I just don't buy it. Our main indulgence is going out for treats: ice cream, bakery, etc. That's where we get ourselves into trouble...</p> <p>Maybe find a substitute you really, really like but that is healthier, and restrict yourself to that? For example, a nice bar of chocolate, or some really yummy cashews, etc? </p> <p>We've basically transitioned to mostly buying organic, etc., but it took time and I ended up sort of changing the way I buy things. For example, I was the type of person who would make bacon-wrapped chicken for dinner. But I can't afford bacon AND chicken at the same meal. In fact, now that I buy mostly organic, I can't even afford meat at every meal. So now I have the rule that there can only be one form of meat at a meal (you'd think this is a no-brainer but think about the times you might make vegetable beef soup and serve it with a turkey sandwich, etc.). And then we even try to eat more eggs, nut butter, stir fried tofu, or beans. Also the kids eat more oatmeal because yogurt is expensive. It took time and a progressive approach to get to that point, though. My family had to adapt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678486 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:27:37 +0000 irene 2678486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't buy junk, we seldom shop for cookies and such. Prior to going to the grocery store I came up with a list of recipes that I will cook that week. I have an app on my phone that I can quickly select the recipes and it generates a shopping list for you. I browse through all the recipes I see, and mentally I know which one is healthy and which one isn't, and I save the ones that are healthy. Whenever I see a recipe that ask for a lot of butter, sugar, fat and such, I just skip them. If it were generally an OK recipe and it asks for a tablespoon of butter, i will substitute it with a tbs of coconut oil...etc. If I want cookies, I make them and I find healthy recipes for it.... but we seldom make cookies, mostly muffins and pancakes. My mind is now really trained as to what we want to eat (meat and fish, asparagus, kale, broccoli, green beans, nuts, fruits, ..etc.) and what we do not want to eat, so there is really no impulses on buying junk.</p> <p>Before kids we used to buy a ton of junk, soda and instant noodles. So I am thankful that I am able to mentally switch like that. It is a lifestyle that you have to change yourself and embrace it. Now our grocery cart often fills with a ton of protein (eggs,meat and fish), and a ton of vegetables and fruits. My unhealthy cravings from my past life is replaced by fruits.</p> <p>Some things come to my mind.... try shopping at a farmers market for a change? Sometimes it is the environment that inspires you to cook healthy. Farmers' market provides 30 times more healthy food choices compared to a regular grocery store, and they are usually very cheap too. Also, have you tried a delivery service like "Plated" or "Sun basket"? I always saw their ads on FB and it looks so tempting. All healthy stuff and you won't impulse buy cookies ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678475 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:13:01 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2678475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: those are or necessities too! And with all that produce, who needs a packaged snack when you can grab a banana and blueberries? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678472 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:11:04 +0000 Greentea 2678472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always get basics to have on hand- greens, apples, carrots, oranges, frozen blueberries, bananas, frozen green beans, frozen peas and veggies and mangos etc., sweet potatoes, onion, garlic. I consider these necessities, at my top priority. Anyway, I believe in indulging, but I treat myself to the "honor" of fresh things- if that makes sense.</p> <p>Extra fruits and veggies I consider luxuries every once in awhile, eat more fresh in summer from local markets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678467 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:07:45 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2678467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make a list and stick to it. I start in produce, then go to meat, then dairy. I buy DH and I one treat per week (for health and budget). Sometimes it's chips, sometimes cookies, etc. Once it's gone it's gone. We aren't big snackers but we both have a sweet tooth! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678466 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 22:06:37 +0000 maddyz 2678466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is why i can't shop at trader joes. i always end up with lots of stuff i dont really need and spend too much $$.</p> <p>I do most of my shopping online or at costco. I know exactly what i buy where and when. it's super boring. but when i buy other stuff it sits around for ages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678459 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 21:58:17 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2678459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have literally cut my grocery budget by like $40 a week by shopping online. I am buying our "usual" snacks and dinner items and that's it. I find it way easier to manage my spending doing it this way. I also just don't walk down those aisles if I'm in the physical store and the most common tip, make sure you're not hungry! Produce is extremely important to me though so I'm more likely to put a snack time back than skip buying a produce item. But what do I know, I tend to want to take grocery budget lessons from you! 😉 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/healthier-grocery-shopping#post-2678443 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 21:33:03 +0000 gingerbebe 2678443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always go shopping with a tasty beverage - could be ice water, could be a coffee or pop, but something to sip on. </p> <p>I also make a list and do my fresh shopping first, then get dry (aisle) stuff, then frozen. Then I tryyyyy to limit a treat to one thing. Either it's going to be one package of something or a tub of ice cream for the week that DH and I are going to share or it's going to be a small individual thing like a candy bar or a donut to eat that night. </p> <p>I try to keep easy snacks at home that are cheap and healthy - popcorn in the air popper is always a winner as long as I remember to keep corn in the house - and lots of fruit. So when we get the snackies at night we can eat that. Or there's some Halloween or holiday candy we jacked from DS1. </p>