Buying food items in a larger quantity is an excellent way of cutting down on the overall cost and reducing your number of trips to the grocery store. This tells us that bulk shopping is both-economical and convenient. However, not all foods can be bought in a large quantity. Several factors need to be considered, such as shelf life, freeze-ability, perishability, etc. In this write-up, we shall talk about the best food items you can buy in bulk that will save you money and preserve their health benefits.
Have a look at this exclusive list curated by considering all the aspects of bulk shopping:
Contents
Frozen berries
Yes, fresh berries have a great nutritional value, and they are also very delicious. But, they are highly perishable and quite expensive to buy in bulk. Fortunately, frozen berries serve similar qualities as fresh berries in terms of nutrition and taste. In addition to that, they can be kept frozen for months without hampering their nutritional content. Berries have qualities that can prevent the risk of developing cancer, heart ailments, and even mental collapse, for that matter. By storing berries in bulk, you can regularly incorporate them in your diet regularly and enjoy the offers’ multiple health benefits. USDA claims that frozen berries can be stored up to six months, and therefore, you can easily stock them up in your freezer, which will also help save you money.
Nuts
These little munchies are often found to be expensive, especially if bought in small quantities. However, their nutritional components are vital to improving metabolism and sustain energy for a long time. Therefore, it is always wiser to purchase them in bulk to get them at a discounted rate. Keeping them at room temperature will cause them to turn rancid, but storing them in a freezer will spike up their shelf life while maintaining the same nutritional features. Store them in the freezer in airtight containers, and you can easily preserve them for months. Their flavor, taste, and quality would not get compromised, and therefore, all these features make nuts one of the best foods to store in bulk.
Popcorn
Movie lovers, here’s a piece of good news for you. Whole popcorn can last up to 2 years, and that is incredibly long shelf life. Besides, they can last for such a long time even at room temperature, making their storage even more convenient. While popcorn is always better than consuming the packaged one, it is free from multiple harmful preservatives and unhealthy fats. Besides, the whole popcorn also gives you the freedom to season it the way you want to without much hassle. While popcorn is also rich in nutritional properties such as phosphorus, zinc, manganese, etc. In addition to that, they are also high in fiber, making them perfect for digestion. Storing popcorn in bulk will not just reduce its cost but also relieve your burden of stocking them up after every movie marathon.
Peanut butter
Irrespective of our age, we all enjoy having peanut butter for its creamy texture, delicious taste, and easy consumption. Another reason to love peanut butter is that its jar can easily last 3 to 4 months after opening. Buying larger jars of peanut butter is found to be more economical as it is available at discounted rates. Peanut butter is an excellent source of plant-based protein, vitamins, and minerals. You can also make peanut butter at home in a large quantity and store the unopened jars in the refrigerator for an entire year. Making peanut butter at home will also keep you from all the sugar, unnecessary fats, and preservatives packed in store-bought ones. You can prepare it in a large amount and then use it as per your requirement without causing it to spoil.
Oats
Considering the numerous health benefits of oats, it is something that you should always have in your pantry. Oats are gluten-free, fibrous, and also promote weight loss, making them an excellent breakfast meal every day. And luckily, they can last for years with just some precautionary measures. All you need to do is store them in an airtight jar such that there is no chance of dust, insects, or any unwanted items to enter. Place the container on your regular shelf at room temperature, and that’s about it. There is no need to freeze or pack it in any way. Purchasing oats in a large quantity will allow you to save money and ensure that they never run out of stock. Their nutritional properties and taste will also stay intact, making it an excellent bulk investment.
Dried beans and lentils
Beans and lentils in their dried form are found to be some of the best shelf-friendly food items. Just storing them in regular containers at room temperature will keep them from spoiling for a remarkable period of 10 years. You can get a substantial quantity at a reasonable rate and easily incorporate them in your soup, salad, curry, and the list goes on. Besides, they are highly nutritious, being a rich source of proteins, fiber, various minerals, and vitamins. These properties have proven to improve the brain’s functioning and maintain the overall health of your body. In this case, also, you should always prefer natural and organic alternatives instead of the canned ones, which are high in sodium and harmful preservatives.
Olive oil
Oil is one of the most commonly used ingredients in everyday cooking. And if your preferred choice is olive oil, then you are in luck! Olive oil is often purchased in a large quantity as it significantly brings down the cost. Besides, olive oil can last for 18 to 24 months, and that is quite a remarkable shelf life for a commodity like oil. Having it stocked in your pantry for a year will not harm its nutritious qualities, taste, and flavor. Olive oil is known for its ability to protect you from breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, etc. In addition to the health benefits, olive oil is an incredibly versatile food item as it can be easily incorporated into any dish. From salads to regular cooking, this all-purpose oil will have you covered. And therefore, it is best to purchase it in bulk to never run out of stock.
Coconut oil
Just like olive oil, coconut oil is also a great addition to your cart when bulk shopping. This will allow you to save money and trips to the market as it can be preserved for an extended period of 2 years. All you need to ensure is that it is kept as a cool and dry place, away from sunlight. Using coconut oil in your food is an excellent way of enhancing any regular food’s taste and flavor. If you aim to lose weight, then coconut oil is the best substitute for any other unhealthy oil as it easily gets converted from fat to energy, keeping your waistline unharmed. In addition to its usefulness in food, it can also be used as a moisturizer, hair oil, and other body care aspects. Due to its multi-purpose qualities, coconut oil is usually recommended to be bought in bulk.
Chia seeds
These little seeds are jammed with some of the best nutritional features and are often said to be a superfood. Adding chia seeds to your regular smoothies and milkshakes will enhance its taste and boost your energy level. These seeds can stabilize elevated blood pressure, promote weight loss, and keep your body hydrated for a long time. However, all the health benefits come at a relatively higher price as chia seeds being a superfood, are sold quite expensively. And therefore, purchasing them in bulk is the best way to cut down on their cost. These seeds last for around two years, and that is excellent shelf life. Store them in an airtight container and keep it in a cool and dry place. Just like that, your superfood stays safe for 2 to 4 years without any degradation of quality.
These were the top shelf-stable food items that you should look for when bulk shopping. In addition to that, here are some more items you should consider adding to your cart:
- Canned tuna
- Frozen peas
- Superfood powders
- Protein powder
- Honey
- Dried pasta
- Apple cider vinegar
- Whole spices
- Brown rice
- Lean meat
- Frozen vegetables
- Nutritional yeast
- Quinoa, etc.
In conclusion
Cutting down your regular grocery items’ costs is not as challenging as it seems. You only need to be aware of each item’s shelf life and then analyze which items to be purchased in bulk, which will allow you to save a considerable amount of money. The list mentioned above involves some of the most versatile, easy-to-incorporate, and nutritionally sound food items that come with an extended shelf life. By buying all those items in bulk, you can maintain a healthy and proportionate diet without worrying about running out of stock. So go ahead, make your bulk-shopping list and be ready to enjoy its health benefits for a long time and at a relatively lower price.
