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Buying food in Bulk (Part 3)

8 March, 2016 by Giselle Rochford 12 Comments

Like my love of all things breakfast and dessert related, my obsession with buying food in bulk should come as no surprise. When I first started trying to healthier back in 2013, I really had no clue what I was doing. I’d always heard that eating healthily was expensive and in those first few months I didn’t question that myth at all. Looking back, I still cringe at how much I used to spend on food in the name of healthy eating.

5 more foods you should be buying in bulk to save money when eating healthy via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com

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It took a lot of trial and error and numerous trips to a variety of supermarkets, health food stores and farmer’s markets before I found, what I thought was the perfect balance between cheap food shopping and healthy eating. And then I discovered bulk food stores in 2014 and realised how wrong I still was. 

Of my 5 tips for healthy food shopping on a budget, planning and buying food in bulk are the two I do almost religiously. I’m working on a series of posts on how I plan my grocery shopping but today I wanted to share 5 more foods that I always buy in bulk.

And, in case you missed them, here are the other 2 posts I’ve written on buying food in bulk:

  • 10 foods you should buy in bulk
  • 5 foods you should buy in bulk

Buying food in bulk (Part 3): 5 MORE foods you should buy wholesale

1. Canned Goods

I try not to buy too many canned foods because I know there can be some health issues associated with them, especially when it comes to the amount of sodium used to preserve it. But, there are a few canned foods that I always stock up on with they’re on sale. Some of them include tomato paste, pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes and coconut milk.

However, the most important ones, in my opinion, are canned beans. Most beans take for-freaking-ever to soak and cook and I never have the foresight to do either ahead of time. Plus, there’s that whole beans-can-make-you-deathly-ill thing, that I’d rather avoid. So, I stock up on canned beans when I can and just give them a good rinse before using.

2. Almond Milk

This one is actually something I’ve only recently started buying in bulk. Almond milk can get a bit pricey so I try to get it on sale when I can and buying as many as I can carry on my walk home from the grocery. I usually buy them three at a time and that lasts me for at least a couple weeks. It may not seem like much, but it’s loads better than buying over-priced milk at the convenience store when I ran out every few days. 

Another option would be to stock up on actual almonds and make your own almond milk as necessary. I haven’t experimented with making homemade almond milk myself, but if you’re willing, you should give it a go. Just remember that the homemade stuff spoils a bit quicker than store-bought. 

3. Coffee

When I first started brewing my own tea at home, I would buy pre-ground coffee. Coffee doesn’t spoil instantly once ground, but in my opinion, the fresher it is the better it tastes. So I used to buy small amounts of grond coffee every single week. But then I discovered how easy it was to grind my own coffee beans (all hail the NutriBullet) and I haven’t looked back since.

Now, I buy huge bags of coffee beans, probably around once a month or less depending on the size and store them in the freezer. Then I grind the beans as needed in smaller batches, usually around once a week.

4. Rice & other grains

I mentioned oatmeal in one of my previous ‘foods to buy in bulk’ lists but I’ve recently started buying other grains in bulk as well. Things like rice, barley, quinoa etc. hold up really well if stored correctly, so when you come across a good deal, it’s usually worth it to stock up. 

I keep my grains in airtight containers in the pantry or freezer depending on what it is and how frequently I use it.  Most of them can last in the pantry for about 4-6 months and up to a year in the freezer. Not a bad deal, if you ask me.

5. Fresh Spices

For the longest time, I only bought dried spices in bulk. Most fresh spices spoil way too quickly, I’m my thumb isn’t nearly green enough to try growing my own. But, I recently came across a method for ‘prolonging’ the life of fresh spices, by freezing them in ice trays, that I definitely want to try out. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

What about you?

  • How do you save money when eating healthy?
  • What are your thoughts on buying food in bulk?
  • Any other foods to add to the list?

Share in the comments below!
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Comments

  1. Alysia at Slim Sanity says

    8 March, 2016 at 9:19 am

    We buy all these in bulk at Costco except for spices! Buying in bulk is the best.

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      10 March, 2016 at 8:09 pm

      I WISH I had a Costco membership! Luckily we have bulk barn here in Canda (not sure if y’all have something similar in the US) so I can still get my bulk buying fix lol

      Reply
  2. Jenn - a traveling Wife says

    8 March, 2016 at 9:34 am

    These are great! I also don’t buy many canned items.
    Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…S’more Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich [Gluten Free]

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      10 March, 2016 at 8:07 pm

      Same. If I wasn’t so lazy/forgetful, probably wouldn’t buy canned beans either haha

      Reply
  3. Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says

    9 March, 2016 at 6:41 am

    Oh coffee beans in bulk! I need to start doing that we drink way too much coffee. And spices too! Interested to hear about the freezing… hmmmm

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      10 March, 2016 at 8:15 pm

      I just bought a huge batch of cilantro that I know I won’t use before it goes bad, so fingers crossed that freezing method works! Also, buying coffee beans in bulk was a serious game changer for me.

      Reply
  4. rachel @ athleticavocado.com says

    10 March, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    I always buy coffee and almond milk in bulk because I use them everyday so why not haha!?
    rachel @ athleticavocado.com recently posted…Banana Snickerdoodle Donut Muffins {Paleo, GF + Vegan Option!}

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      10 March, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      EXACTLY!

      Reply
  5. GiGi Eats says

    29 March, 2016 at 10:33 am

    I love bulk buying however… Then I have no room in my place for it! LOL!
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Avocados Get Brownie Points

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      29 March, 2016 at 10:44 am

      Haha that’s so true! I find food in the most random places sometimes 😳😳😳

      Reply
  6. wendy mcdonell says

    26 April, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I love the recipes and the suggestions for what foods to buy in bulk. Thank you for the great ideas!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Sunday Skinny 03/13/15 - Skinny Fitalicious says:
    13 March, 2016 at 8:01 am

    […] Buying Food In Bulk – The spice tip is amazing. […]

    Reply

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