Stop these 10 Food Shopping Mistakes NOW!

Summary

This video discusses the common mistakes people make when grocery shopping and how to turn the experience from a dreaded chore into an enjoyable weekly task. The presenter covers 10 key tips for efficient shopping, such as taking inventory, making proper lists, choosing fresh produce, and buying cost-effective proteins. They also emphasize being open-minded, especially in the international aisle, and shopping with a long-term mindset for pantry staples. The video is sponsored by Amazon Fresh, highlighting the ease of shopping both in-store and online.

Takeaways

• 🛒 Shopping can feel like a chore, but with proper systems and strategies, it can become enjoyable and efficient.
• 📋 Mistake #1: Not taking inventory of your kitchen before shopping, leading to unnecessary food waste and duplicate purchases.
• 📝 Mistake #2: Not making a shopping list throughout the week to ensure you remember needed items and avoid last-minute stress.
• 🥦 Mistake #3: Shopping out of order. Start with fresh produce, then move on to other sections like dairy and meat.
• 🍎 Mistake #4: Not being selective with produce. Touch and examine fruits and vegetables to ensure quality and freshness.
• 🍗 Mistake #5: Shopping for only one meal at a time, which can be costly. Opt for versatile proteins that can be used in multiple meals.
• 🥛 Mistake #6: Underestimating the value of the dairy section, which contains essentials for many weekly recipes.
• 🌍 Mistake #7: Being a close-minded shopper. Explore the international aisle to discover new flavors and inspiration.
• 🍪 Mistake #8: Shopping for snacks recklessly. Look for simple, whole ingredients in snacks rather than overly processed ones.
• 💡 Shopping isn’t just about getting the cheapest items, but about making smart, long-term investments in pantry staples like oils, vinegars, and spices.

Q & A

What is one of the main reasons people avoid cooking at home?

One of the main reasons is that grocery shopping can feel like a chore, especially after work or when people have other weekend plans.

What is the first grocery shopping mistake mentioned in the video?

The first mistake is not taking proper inventory of what you already have, leading to food waste and unnecessary purchases.

How does the speaker suggest keeping track of needed groceries?

The speaker suggests keeping a convenient piece of paper or list on the fridge or countertop, where you can jot down items throughout the week as you run out or get ideas.

Why does the speaker recommend starting in the fresh produce section of the store?

The speaker recommends starting in the fresh produce section because it opens the opportunity for inspiration and selecting the best-looking fruits and vegetables, which can guide your meal planning.

What is the tip provided for selecting avocados?

The tip for selecting avocados is to look for a slight give when pressing the fruit and to check under the small stem. If the area under the stem is green, it indicates a ripe avocado.

Outlines

00:00

🛒 Overcoming Grocery Shopping Chores

The speaker discusses how grocery shopping can feel like a burdensome task that often deters people from cooking at home. Amazon Fresh, the sponsor, makes shopping easier, helping people transition from seeing shopping as a chore to an enjoyable, routine experience. The video will cover 10 common grocery shopping mistakes and how to improve skills, systems, and knowledge for a better shopping experience.

05:01

📋 Importance of Taking Inventory

The first mistake is not taking proper inventory of the items you already have, which leads to food waste and unnecessary purchases. The speaker recalls personal experiences where items like ketchup or mustard were bought twice and pushed to the back of the pantry. The speaker advises checking your fridge and pantry before heading to the store to avoid wasting food and money.

10:01

📝 Making a Functional Shopping List

The second mistake is failing to make a proper shopping list. The speaker encourages jotting down items as the week progresses instead of cramming before shopping. This method makes grocery trips smoother, allowing shoppers to avoid missing essential items. The speaker shares how this method is helpful when cooking for their daughter and in weekly meal planning.

🥑 Shopping Out of Order and Selectively Choosing Produce

A common mistake people make is shopping out of order. The speaker suggests starting with the fresh produce section, keeping an open mind for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Being selective with produce is key—touching and inspecting items like peaches or avocados ensures freshness. The speaker highlights the importance of choosing the highest quality produce for an enjoyable grocery experience.

🥩 Shopping for Multiple Meals

The fifth mistake is shopping for only one meal at a time, particularly with meat. Since meat can be expensive, the speaker advises looking for cost-effective cuts that can stretch into multiple meals, such as tougher cuts of beef or whole chickens. Bulk shopping and meal prepping can help maximize budget and avoid overspending on expensive, single-meal items.

🥛 Valuing the Dairy Section

Undervaluing the dairy section is a mistake many shoppers make. Dairy products are essential for a variety of recipes, from baked goods to smoothies. The speaker suggests looking for lower-sugar yogurt options, and exploring non-dairy alternatives. They also recommend cultured butter for a richer flavor and emphasize how products from this section form the base for many meals.

🌍 Exploring the International Aisle

The seventh mistake is being a close-minded shopper. Exploring the international aisle can introduce new flavors and inspiration. The speaker highlights the diversity of products, such as fish sauce and rice noodles, and encourages shoppers to expand their culinary horizons by trying new ingredients to break out of cooking ruts.

🍿 Being Mindful When Shopping for Snacks

Many people shop recklessly for snacks, but they play a vital role in a balanced diet. The speaker emphasizes checking ingredient lists and sugar content to avoid overly processed items. They share personal experiences shopping for snacks for their daughter and how to choose healthier, whole-ingredient options that align with family needs.

🛍️ Investing in Pantry Staples

Shoppers often make the mistake of thinking groceries should always be cheap. The speaker advises investing in key pantry items like oils, spices, and vinegars, which may have a higher upfront cost but offer long-term savings. Stocking up on essential items can extend meal options and reduce overall grocery expenses.

🛒 Shifting the Mindset of Grocery Shopping

The last mistake is viewing shopping as a chore. The speaker stresses that with practice and a shift in mindset, grocery shopping becomes a skill you can enjoy and get better at. They share their experience shopping at Amazon Fresh, highlighting the convenience of just-walk-out technology and encouraging viewers to embrace grocery shopping as a rewarding activity.

Keywords

💡Inventory

In the context of grocery shopping, 'inventory' refers to the process of checking what ingredients or food items you already have at home before going shopping. This helps prevent over-purchasing, reduces food waste, and ensures you're only buying what you actually need. In the video, the speaker mentions how failing to take inventory can lead to expired items and duplicate purchases.

💡Shopping List

A 'shopping list' is a written or digital record of items that need to be purchased. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining a running list throughout the week to avoid stress and last-minute cramming, making the shopping experience smoother and more efficient.

💡Produce

Produce refers to fresh fruits and vegetables available in the grocery store. The speaker discusses how the produce section is the first area to visit and encourages being selective about choosing the freshest items. They highlight how different fruits like peaches or apples require careful picking to ensure quality.

💡Proteins

'Proteins' in the context of grocery shopping refer to meat, fish, and other high-protein foods like tofu. The video emphasizes the importance of buying proteins that can be used across multiple meals, such as cheaper cuts of meat that can be slow-cooked and shredded, making them more budget-friendly.

💡Dairy Section

The 'dairy section' of the store includes milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. The speaker notes that this section is often undervalued, yet it plays a foundational role in many meals. They recommend paying attention to sugar content in yogurt and investing in products like butter, which can be used in various recipes.

💡International Aisle

The 'international aisle' is where stores stock ingredients from various global cuisines. The video highlights this section as a source of inspiration for introducing new flavors and breaking free from repetitive meal routines. Items like fish sauce, rice noodles, and curry mixes are mentioned as examples.

💡Snacks

In the video, 'snacks' refer to small, ready-to-eat food items. The speaker advises shopping for snacks carefully, paying attention to ingredients and nutritional content. They mention the importance of finding snacks with simple, recognizable ingredients, especially for their daughter, who is starting preschool.

💡Pantry Items

'Pantry items' refer to non-perishable goods such as oils, vinegars, and spices that have a long shelf life. The speaker explains that investing in key pantry items can save money over time by forming the basis of many meals. These staples are important for building a well-stocked kitchen.

💡Meal Prep

'Meal prep' is the process of planning and preparing meals ahead of time, often for the entire week. In the video, the speaker stresses the importance of buying items that can be used in multiple meals, like a whole chicken or slow-cooked meats, as this reduces costs and helps with meal planning.

💡Budget

'Budget' in this context refers to managing your spending while grocery shopping. The speaker encourages viewers to think long-term when purchasing groceries, investing in items that last longer and are used in multiple recipes. By being strategic, shoppers can get more value out of their purchases.

Highlights

Shopping can feel like a chore, but by building the right skills and systems, it can become an enjoyable experience.

Taking proper inventory of what you already have helps reduce food waste, which is one of the biggest kitchen mistakes.

Not making a proper shopping list is a common mistake. Keeping a list handy throughout the week can help you prepare better for grocery trips.

Start shopping in the produce section to stay open to inspiration from fresh fruits and vegetables.

Be selective with produce by actively choosing the freshest and ripest items instead of grabbing the first thing you see.

When shopping for proteins, avoid expensive cuts and focus on budget-friendly options that can stretch across multiple meals.

Underestimating the dairy aisle can limit your meal variety, as it provides key ingredients like yogurt and butter for multiple recipes.

Explore the international aisle to break out of flavor ruts and find inspiration with new spices and sauces.

Shop for snacks with an educated mindset, checking ingredient lists for simple, whole ingredients rather than long, unrecognizable lists.

Investing in key pantry items, like oils and spices, is a smart way to build up your kitchen for long-term savings and meal flexibility.

Shopping for groceries should be viewed as a skill. Learning how to shop well makes the experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Amazon Fresh offers great weekly deals on high-quality meats, which can be budget-friendly if you know how to use them for meal prep.

The international aisle offers a range of products that can help expand your cooking skills and introduce new flavors into your meals.

Snacks are not just indulgences; they are important for your weekly diet, and you should choose them carefully by reviewing ingredient quality.

Shopping with a plan helps prevent impulse purchases, especially in large stores where unexpected items may catch your eye.

Transcripts

this video is sponsored by amazon fresh

one of the most overlooked reasons

people don't cook at home as much as

they might want is because shopping can

feel like a big old chore whether you're

just tired after work or maybe you just

have epic plans on the weekends and the

last thing you want to do is shop for

your groceries but without proper

supplies there is no way you can get

down in the kitchen so in today's video

i'm going to be breaking down the 10

biggest mistakes i see when people are

shopping for groceries and show you how

to build the proper skills systems and

shopping knowledge to take your grocery

game from feeling like a chore that you

dread to an experience that's actually

enjoyable and something you look forward

to every single week

[Music]

mistake number one is not taking proper

inventory of what you already have on

hand which is the number one cause for

food waste in the kitchen which is one

of my biggest pet peeves and the reason

i hate it so much is because when i was

growing up inventory wasn't top priority

in my kitchen and because of that things

were bought twice like ketchup mustard

standard pantry ingredients the old ones

got pushed to the back and then a few

months later they're nasty they've

expired and you have to throw them out

so before you ever get to the market

it's extremely valuable to take

inventory of what's already in your

fridge what condiments are you low on

what are you out of what's missing in

your pantry that you need to stock up on

and of course what perishable items need

to be used up to make room for the fresh

ones which leads me into mistake number

two which is not making a proper

shopping list now listen i am not a type

a personality i'm not gonna be sitting

down and writing full-on perfect

shopping list that is not the point but

by keeping a piece of paper somewhere

convenient whether it's on your fridge

or on your countertop throughout the

week when things come up in the moment

like oh i need this i need that jot it

down or maybe you get a great idea for a

meal and you just quickly jot down the

meal or maybe the ingredients you need i

know for me i'm always running out of

ingredients and snacks to cook for my

daughter so i'm constantly jotting

things down for the week so rather than

say studying for the test the night

before and cramming and being super

stressed out you have now done your

homework throughout the week and guess

what once your homework's done you are

officially ready to shop

now shopping in a market can be very

overwhelming for people because there's

so many different categories so many

different items to get and one of the

biggest mistakes that i see is shopping

out of order you hit the pantry first or

the dairy or the meat now of course

we're going to get everything at some

point but for me it always starts with

the fresh produce and for the most part

your market is generally going to open

you up to this section anyway and when

i'm in the produce section this is a

place where i'm really keeping an open

mind maybe there's something that just

looks inspiring that's spurring on an

idea for the week or there's just a

vegetable or fruit that is looking

fantastic that i just need to buy which

brings me into mistake number four not

being selective with your produce it

feels like people just don't think

they're allowed to actually select what

they want but the truth is that not all

produce is created equal and you have

the ability to be an active shopper so i

prefer

white peach over yellow peach don't feel

bad about actually touching the fruit

everything's gonna get washed after and

there's gonna be a huge difference

between some of these peaches if we dig

a little bit feel around just light

don't damage the fruit there we go boom

you can see just a slight thumb print

and that's totally fine because i'm

gonna take this it's important to

actually look through the veggies and

the fruits that you want to find what

looks the freshest or the least wilted

or the ripest all right i know citrus

can be expensive because it's an

imported product so it's all right if

you just find one nice juicy lemon that

has a little bit of give you don't want

it of course rock solid even just one

lime and lemon it's amazing how far you

can take this throughout the week oh boy

pretty standard to have an entire

section of just different varieties of

apples maybe the most preferential

produce out there can be a bit

overwhelming remember you don't have to

be stuck with one variety i'm a big fan

of fuji crispy nice and juicy i also

love honeycrisp generally a little bit

more pricey i'll grab one of those gala

always a solid pick granny smith not so

much

it comes down to you as a shopper it's

your job to find the item that is of the

highest quality i'm sure most of you

know how to properly shop for an avocado

at this point you just want a little

give to the outside but one of my

favorite tips pop this off now if that

is nice and bright green like that good

sign that your avocado is going to be

nice and healthy on the inside so now

that we're done with our fresh produce

the next section that i tend to hit is

the proteins your fresh meat and fish

which brings me to mistake number five

which is shopping for one meal at a time

because meat can be very expensive and

the last thing you want to do is blow

your entire budget shopping for protein

so when i'm thinking about meal prepping

for the week i'm not necessarily going

for those individual expensive pieces

like a filet or a super pricey ribeye

i'm looking for those items that can

really extend into multiple meals for

example maybe it's a tougher cut of beef

or pork that's a little cheaper that i

can slow cook and shred up and convert

into a ton of meals throughout the week

so this is very exciting you might have

seen this in a past video but these are

short ribs they're calling them flanking

style but basically this is the korean

style butchering where they slice it

right across the bone like this so i'm

gonna grab a package of these this is

definitely sparked some inspiration for

either a cowbee or bulgogi style

marinade or something i've shown you in

past videos rather than buying a pack of

chicken breasts something that can be

more cost effective is buying a whole

chicken breaking it down yourself and

turning it into meals throughout the

entire week and another good tip always

be on the lookout for really good deals

here at this amazon fresh store they

have great weekly deals so you can find

some really nice cuts for a really good

value all right we've made it through

produce we've made it through the

protein section now we are moving on to

the dairy aisle which brings me to

mistake number six which is under

valuing this section of the market now

the dairy aisle is so much more than

just checking milk and eggs off your

grocery list items that you're going to

find and buy in this section really make

up a foundation and a base to so many

things that you can make throughout the

week whether it's making baked goods or

different bread recipes smoothie bowl or

different types of pastas so many of

these dishes that i'm personally making

throughout the week all the time are

requiring a base of items from this

section a lot of times i'll get a yogurt

in bulk like this just a plain so i can

use it in different recipes and this is

just five grams of sugar so just a hint

just to sweeten things up 10 grams

another 10 grams so some of the brands

will actually say it right on the front

that's 10 grams that's decent so that's

15 grams 30 personally i wouldn't get

anything above 10 grams that's gonna be

pretty sugary you of course can get

sugar-free oh nice this whole brand is

called too good because it has just two

grams of sugar so that's just a hint

i'll get a few of these as just snack

packs really solid so take a minute here

to really make sure you have a good base

of products and even though this is

called the dairy section of course there

are wonderful non-dairy products so i'm

generally buying some type of dairy-free

alternative that i can use in smoothies

and muffins and all types of recipes and

probably one of the most utilized

ingredients in all of my meal prep i am

never without a good butter just a quick

little tip on butter because it can be a

bit overwhelming with all these choices

number one if you see cultured butter

personally i'm always going for that for

a little extra flavor and a rich and

creamy texture and in this case since

i'm just using it in a bunch of recipes

this week unsalted is the way to go

so number seven is to not be a

close-minded shopper and we have just

arrived at one of my favorite aisles

which is the international aisle the

land of inspiration now this isn't a

traditional italian market or an asian

grocery store but there are a lot of

great items here that can be entry-level

things to really get you started with

new flavors you know i need a fully

stocked asian pantry i have most of the

basics right now i do need a another

fish sauce great brand right here red

boat let's go with this chili garlic

sauce i burned through so many rice

noodles these brown rice noodles are

fantastic i've had this indian brand

before these are amazing especially for

like quick dinners if you don't have a

time to make a curry from scratch a lot

of awesome flavors let's go with creamy

tomato and ginger so if i'm personally

ever feeling stuck with my home cooking

just taking a little trip to the

international aisle and picking

something new is going to be the best

way to break a flavor rut

i love snacking which brings me to one

of the biggest mistakes that i see which

is shopping for snacks recklessly now

snacks aren't just sweet and salty

morsels that you can eat carefree

they're an integral part of your weekly

diet so the key when shopping for snacks

is to be a little more active on your

search i'm constantly checking packaging

to see what's actually going on with the

ingredients if the ingredient list is

super long and there's a few too many

words i don't understand well i'm

probably gonna pass on it i'm on the

hunt for snacks that are simple and use

whole ingredients for instance like

these cheese crackers right here i've

actually used these exact crackers for

inspiration on homemade cheese crackers

that you might have seen on the channel

everything on this ingredient list right

here is something that i've actually

used in my own home cooking and a huge

bonus these are perfect for back to

school my daughter is starting preschool

in a few weeks having snacks that have

simple ingredients that i can rely on

anyone who's ever had a toddler knows

that is extremely important same thing

applies with granola of course we've got

a ton of different options here take a

look at the ingredients first of all see

how long the ingredient list is that's

pretty simple right there great sign

sugar seven grams not too bad at all

really good option here right away we've

got a tapioca syrup check the sugars oh

yeah boom 14 grams let's go with this

fruit nut

so it's super important to shop for

snacks with an educated mindset

i think a lot of people go into a

shopping experience thinking it should

be super cheap and although there's

great deals at the market and you can

budget you still need to have a

long-term mindset when it comes to

shopping so sometimes you do need to

invest in those key items and pantry

items are things that are gonna last for

a while and really pay off over time so

every time i'm at the market i'm

investing in a few key pantry items like

picking up one or two oils that i'm

gonna be using throughout my week so a

jar coconut oil like this can be a

little pricey but i buy this once it's

going to last me a while and i'm going

to be using it to saute things and i'll

be using it for baked goods so just a

big time investment with one jar maybe a

certain type of vinegar that i need to

restock on or even hitting up the spice

aisle and seeing what draws up

inspiration now of course for spices

we've got a lot of options i'm not gonna

be getting a ton at once because they

can be expensive but i'm always gonna

hit the spice aisle and at least check

it out to see if there's anything

inspiring and maybe invest in just one

spice at a time see what do i need what

do i need

just found some gochugaru and i've got a

lot of things i can potentially kimchi

if i in the garden so i'm gonna pick

this up so these key items are certainly

to jack up your total grocery bill but

when you're thinking with that long-term

mindset by building out your pantry with

things that are going to last weeks and

potentially months the savings over time

are going to be huge as you use them to

build out different meals and the last

mistake is thinking that shopping is a

chore which i totally understand we're

all super busy and shopping can feel

like a big weight on your shoulders but

what i've learned over the years is that

shopping is a unique language and the

more you learn it the better you get at

it the more you can operate with

confidence so when you start learning

some of these tips and start shifting

your mindset a bit shopping can go from

being a chore to actually something

that's enjoyable today i was shopping at

my local amazon fresh store which is

brand new in oceanside new york and if

you want to find your own local amazon

fresh grocery store to visit or to shop

online for delivery just click the link

below in my description one of the

coolest things about shopping and amazon

fresh grocery store is the ability to

just go in there shop for what you want

and walk right out all i need to do is

again and we are walking out we can bag

right over

here and that's all she wrote

so hopefully this can be a blueprint to

gain a little confidence for your weekly

trips to the market and if you have any

personal tips or skills that you've

learned over your years of shopping

please comment in below i would love to

hear it and i'm sure everyone else would

love it as well and i'll see you in the

next video

mind if i take a picture with the

superstar here don't tell me i'm the

only guy to recognize you here

nice to meet you

what is your

number one tip for shopping have a game

plan before you go in okay know what

you're gonna get especially when you go

to a place like this you're gonna see

stuff that you don't normally get by the

time i got out there was a

million so have a plan so you don't get

too overzealous exactly you sound very

legit as a homecoming

you're curious you can't build this

physique here

this video was sponsored by amazon fresh

and if you want more meal prep content

click one of these videos see you in the

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