Are there any items that don’t belong in your grocery cart?

If you asked my coworkers, they’d all tell you one thing: I don’t like to order food. Everyone in the office knows I’m all about saving money, eating healthier, and experimenting in the kitchen. The good news? Grocery shopping and farmers’ markets let me do all that while staying on budget and treating my body right.

I’ve learned that beauty and health start from within. Giving your body the food it craves is a surefire way to hit your wellness goals. But here’s the catch: not everything belongs in your grocery cart. Some items are just too expensive, low in nutritional value, packed with artificial ingredients, or, worse, all of the above.

After a lot of trial and error, I’ve discovered that smart shopping starts with smart choices. Whether you want to save money, prioritize your health, or both, this guide is for you. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the items that don’t belong in your grocery cart:

1. “Healthy” alternatives

I don’t know about you, but the word “healthy” mentioned on the packaging fooled me quite a few times until I took my time and read the label. Just because the packaging of the bread, crackers, or cookies says they’re healthier, lower in sugar, or easier on your stomach doesn’t mean it’s true.

Manufacturers often add less sugar but compensate with more artificial sweeteners and ingredients you can’t even pronounce to enhance the flavor. Not to mention, the simple fact that it says it’s healthier jacks up the price by at least 20%.

Instead of falling for this trap, look for items that are made of 100% whole wheat bread. Make sure they also have enough fiber with minimal added sugars. They’re better and a lot more affordable too.

Moral of the story? ”Healthy” alternatives to your favorite treats are sometimes the enemy, and they’re part of the items that don’t belong in your grocery cart!

2. Nut milks

The reason why I say nut milks are part of the items that don’t belong in your grocery cart is because they don’t have much nutritional value and they’re crazy expensive too! While these vegan-friendly milk options offer creamy dairy-free sips, your fancy pistachio, cashew, or flaxseed varieties aren’t worth your money.

You can go for budget-friendly alternatives, such as oat or soy milk. Or if you’re like me and want to save even more money in the long run, I recommend you invest in a device to make your nut milk at home, such as this one. All you have to do is blend your favorite nuts (soaked) with water and then strain the pulp. Easy, affordable, nutritious, and delicious! The best part? You can save the pulp to make delicious desserts like biscuits or banana bread.

3. Pre-packaged snack kits

…Let’s continue with these items that don’t belong in your grocery cart, because you’re going to be a savvy shopper by the end of this article (unless you are already)!

While it’s convenient to pick up grab-and-go snacks like cut veggies or trail mixes, you’ll pay more than double over DIY options. Not to mention, you’ll also have much less food to eat, so that’s always a con for me.

I suggest you get all the items you’d like in a snack kit, such as cheese strips, crackers, hummus, carrots, olives, nuts, or dried fruit, and combine them in different mixes at home. You can portion them in containers to grab on the go or store them in your pantry for up to a couple of months. You’ll save a lot of time, money, and resources, and your waistline will thank you as well!

4. Sugary cereals

My kids can argue with me for whatever long they want. I’m a strong believer that sugary cereals are part of the items that don’t belong in your grocery cart. That’s it; I said it. I don’t contest their taste, because they’re indeed delicious, but they’re full of sugars and artificial flavors. And yes, they’re pretty expensive too, especially since a family bag won’t last you more than two weeks.

Since I’m all about nutritional value and money-saving, I prefer to treat my kids with some homemade granola. I use honey, cacao nibs, toasted almonds, gluten-free oats, and other sources of fiber or nuts they like, and I bake a delicious granola trail each month. I then store it in glass containers in the pantry and consume it with yogurt or homemade nut milk.

My kids loved it and then even said it was tastier than Nesquick or Lucky Charms cereal. I also change up my recipe every time I make it, so it’s always exciting to taste it. Try out this tip! Your wallet and gut will be a lot happier!

5. Complicated ingredient list

All the products that have a complicated ingredient list are items that don’t belong in your grocery cart. Why would anyone buy things with ingredients they don’t even know how to pronounce? Well, because they’re tasty and they look good. I still get things like this every once in a while, but I try my best to say pass.

These items are typically packed with complex chemical additives to enhance flavor and texture, and they’re heavily processed. Besides making you eat more and eventually drawing a hole in your budget, items with ingredient lists that read like an advanced chemistry quiz will also upset your stomach and mess with your skin and hair. Choose nutritious, dense foods, and you’ll feel much better! And yes, you’ll have more money as well!

6. Processed meats

Even though processed meats might not be the most expensive food, they are still part of the items that don’t belong in your grocery cart. Hot dogs, cold cuts, and bacon might be a tad more affordable than raw chicken breast or any other type of meat, but you get less quantity for your buck.

These are also packed with nitrate preservatives and chemical additives that enhance the flavor and texture. If you want to avoid these artery-clogging saturated fats, it’s best to stick to healthier options, such as poultry, tofu, fish, tempeh, seitan, and beans instead. Even though the price might be higher, you’ll get more product quantity that’s also good for your health.

7. Specialty herbs and spices

…Let’s continue with these items that don’t belong in your grocery cart, because we have a couple more left to discuss!

While certain spices and herbs are pantry staples—think of salt, garlic powder, and pepper—others aren’t that necessary in the long run. For example, specialty seasoning, such as cream of tartar, might taste amazing in some dishes, but how often will you use it?

If you don’t plan on consuming your herbs and spices fast enough, you risk wasting money. To avoid that, it’s best to choose the store-brand option of these herbs and spices. It will taste just as good, and your wallet will thank you!

8. Single-serve meals

Another way you waste money on items that don’t belong in your grocery cart is by getting single-serve meals. Frozen dishes might taste good and be convenient when you don’t have time to cook something from scratch, but just think of how much money you pay for a single-serve meal.

You should only get this type of food when it’s needed and not turn it into regular practice. It’s quite expensive, and it doesn’t have that much nutritional value anyway, as it’s packed with sodium and preservatives.

Can you think of any other items that don’t belong in your grocery cart? Let’s chat in the comments below! If you want to carry your groceries more easily, here’s a cart that will help you get the job done faster.

If you enjoyed reading this article and would like to check out something else from The Money Place, here’s a post you must check out: 15 Finance Rules That Worked for Baby Boomers but They Don’t Apply Today