If you’re hankering for a good deal at the supermarket, avoid food cravings.
Aside from the rising prices of groceries in general, shopping on an empty stomach can ultimately increase your grocery bill.
A survey of 2,000 Americans found that shopping while hungry is one main factor that can impact grocery habits.
The findings revealed that those who shop on an empty stomach consistently spend $26 more than they initially planned to.
Research showed that the worst time to go to the grocery store is between 4 p.m. and 5:59 p.m., around when people are getting off work and are hungry for dinner.
Nearly 76% of people shared that they ignore their budget when they’re hungry — and 6 out of 10 people also ignore healthy eating habits when they shop with an empty stomach.
The decrease in blood sugar leads people to pick up what their body is craving, such as chips or cookies.
However, many Americans want variety in their meals (35%), convenient and quick options (34%), protein-packed meals (32%), and affordable options (30%).
Impulse buys aren’t always limited to junk food, either. Bananas were the top impulse purchase at 33%, followed by grapes at 30% and apples at 22%.
“A high-quality food shouldn’t break the bank. It should nourish us, be ethically sourced, and be readily available to consumers,” William Goldfield, director of corporate communications for Dole, said in a statement.
“We believe health should be our highest priority and should be reflected in the way people shop. For our 125th anniversary of growing and marketing bananas, we commissioned this study to look at how Americans spend on what’s important to them when it comes to food and their hierarchy of food needs.”
There are other mistakes people make when grocery shopping as well that can lead to a higher grocery bill.
Not making a shopping list can lead you to spend on items that you don’t necessarily need — and you might end up forgetting essentials and having to go back and spend more.
Be sure to check the unit prices of items since the bigger package isn’t always the best deal. Additionally, buying pre-cut produce is pricier than cutting it yourself.
A big factor that leads to people wasting money at the grocery store is buying items that can go bad quickly. Don’t grab items with an expiration date that’s coming up soon, and be wary of purchasing too many perishables
Of course, double-check for any digital offers and coupons that can help with savings.
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