Living alone can be an empowering and wonderful experience. You have the ultimate freedom to yourself and a space you can call your own. However, as far as monthly groceries are concerned, you might have to face some challenges. Minimizing food waste and managing groceries at their best condition can be slightly more difficult than shopping & cooking for a single individual. Still, it turns out to be a great opportunity to unleash your creative side while being practical in your grocery shopping spree.
From the art of transforming leftovers to creative meals to smart shopping decisions, let us help you understand the best ways in which you can save on your monthly grocery shopping. Whether you wish to stock up on your daily supply of fresh fruits or veggies or even something like Indie Mint cigarettes, online grocery stores like Swiggy Instamart have got you covered with their doorstep delivery services.
Maximizing Your Groceries While Living Alone
Living alone can be both budget-friendly and expensive at the same time, depending on your lifestyle choices. If you have to pay grocery bills yourself every month, here are some online grocery shopping tips to help you out:
- Shop with a Proper Grocery List
When you are living solo, it is quite tempting to fall into the trap of buying more groceries than you need. To save money and prevent food waste, it is suggested that you shop with a proper intention and grocery list. You can plan your meals for the entire week, prepare a grocery shopping list, and stick to the same.
While preparing the list, you should be realistic about what you eat. Try resisting those impulsive purchases that might appear tempting while shopping online -as delicious as they might appear. Look into any upcoming social events or plans that might involve dining out. When you identify these moments, you can create your grocery list to cater to your entire week’s needs, minimizing the risk of food waste and overbuying.
- Buy Canned and Frozen Food Items
It is always practical to buy some canned and frozen food items beforehand. These items feature a longer shelf life and can be utilised in smaller portions without having to worry about them getting spoiled.
You can consider stocking your fridge with frozen veggies and fruits, which you can get online on Swiggy Instamart. You can also fill your pantry with canned sauces and goods. Both canned and frozen food items are convenient ingredients for small-sized meals for an individual.
- Use the Freezer Wisely
Your freezer serves as the secret weapon in your battle against food waste. When you buy groceries in bulk or simply cannot finish everything you have in the fridge, you can consider freezing items that you might not need immediately.
For instance, portion out bread, leftovers, or meat for the entire week and store what is left in the freezer. You can properly seal and label items to be stored for several weeks or months without any major loss of quality.
- Store Food Like a Pro
One of the major tips for reducing food waste when you live alone is understanding the concept of proper food storage. Effective storage can significantly improve the shelf life of your groceries. Different food items have diverse storage requirements, like packaging, humidity levels, temperature, and others.
For example, some fruits and veggies are expected to be stored separately to prevent premature ripening. On the other hand, meats and dairy products are expected to be stored in the coldest section of the fridge. Take ample time to explore and learn these practices. You will realize that your food stays fresh for much longer, enabling you to enjoy it on your own terms.
- Meal Preparation in Small Batches
Cooking for a single person can be easier when you implement meal preparation techniques in smaller batches. Cook your favourite dishes, divide the same into individual servings, and then freeze the portions that you couldn’t eat for some days.
In this manner, you will always have access to homemade, ready-to-consume meals. This turns out to be a great way to cook -irrespective of the number of members in your family.
Conclusion
These crucial grocery shopping and management tips will help you save money and time, especially when you live alone. Swiggy Instamart can be your one-stop destination to shop all your essential grocery items online, right from fresh fruits and veggies to even Indie Mint cigarettes online, whatever you need. You will get doorstep delivery of your desired items in no time.