How to shop smart

Once you have planned your meals and written your shopping list the inevitable trip to the supermarket can create extra food (and money) if you are not careful, so here are some tips to help you shop a bit smarter:

• always shop with a list and stick to the list unless you have to make an alternative
• if you feel tempted by a bargain in store that’s not on your list, think about whether that item can be used, frozen or stored for a later date
• it might be cheaper to buy in bulk
• buy fruit and vegetables loose if possible as it not only gives you control of the quality of the food, but you also only buy what you need
• if you have to buy packs of fruit and vegetables and you don’t think that it will be used up cook or freeze what you can’t use to avoid waste
• some foods are available now in split packs this will make your food last longer and allow you to freeze half to use later
• don’t buy food with a fast-approaching use-by date unless you know you are going to eat it
• some retailers now sell fruit and veg that have not met cosmetic standards at a discount
• alternatively look at getting an Oddbox delivered, these boxes have fruit and vegetables direct from the growers that aren’t suitable for supermarkets due to being the wrong size or shape or there being a glut
• online shopping is great if you have meal plans that you keep going back to, save a list for each plan
• there are some great apps out there to help you if you find yourself with too much food including Olio which helps you pass on food to local people
• alternatively if you are looking to get some food for a bargain try Too Good to Go which connects people with shops and restaurants who are looking to pass on surplus food at a fraction of the cost it would normally be