If grocery shopping is an area of stress for you, you might want to go the Euro route.
The European way of shopping has taken TikTok by storm and is almost the opposite of how Americans shop.
Instead of going to just one store like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and buying a bunch of groceries for the week, shoppers focus on specific foods, recipes and ingredients.
The method is about taking fewer food items and going out more often.
“Normalize shopping like a European,” one TikTok user wrote in a video. “Small daily grocers, specialty grocers, shop what you need for the day, high-quality protein and cheese, add fresh herbs to simple meals, hand-crafted selections based on seasonality and freshness.”
While it may take a little more time since you have to go more than once a week, it can ultimately save you money and help prevent wastage, according to believers.
The key to the European grocery method is to have a plan in place before you go to the store so you don’t buy unnecessary ingredients or perishable foods.
Planning your meals in advance can also help you envision which items work well together and can be reused for different meals. For example, vegetables can be used as a side, in stir-fries, in pasta or in breakfast dishes.
An important part of the process is not just shopping at one store.
To get the products you need for individual recipes, you can go to the grocery store, farmer’s market, bakery, butcher, cheese shop, etc. Of course, this is more convenient for those who live in walkable cities.
Another aspect of the method is to limit yourself to what you can carry – especially if you’re walking. For example, if you bring a shopping bag, only buy what you can fit in that bag.
The Euro method can be especially useful for people with smaller kitchens or those who cook for just one or two people, as well as those trying not to hurt their wallet.
Buying only what you need can help prevent a situation where you’re throwing away items you haven’t eaten but gone bad, like fruit and vegetables, which is a clear waste of money.
Some items may also be less expensive in different countries. Produce is sometimes cheaper at a farmer’s market, while meat can be more reasonably priced at a grocery store.
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Image Source : nypost.com