Chefs share 10 things you should never do when buying groceries

Cheyenne LentzAug 11, 2020, 01:52 IST

A few common grocery-shopping mistakes could be costing you money and time.BSIP/UIG via Getty

Insider talked to three chefs about some of the biggest mistakes people make while shopping at the grocery store.
If you grab items from the top or the front of a display, you could end up with damaged products or food with shorter lifespans.
Purchasing food in bulk and shopping every deal can sometimes result in food waste and wasted money.

Grocery shopping is a simple task, but it can become time-consuming and expensive if it's not done right.

Insider talked to several chefs — who know plenty about buying food and preparing it — to find out mistakes people commonly make at the grocery store that could be costing them time and money.

Keep scrolling to see what they said.

By not making a list, you may end up spending more money and forgetting items.

A grocery list can help keep you on track. Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo

Going to the store on an empty stomach may lead to more impulse buys.

If you're hungry, you may be inclined to buy food you don't need. ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

If your list isn't organized, you may be wasting your time.

All of the fresh produce on your list should be in one section. Mint Images/Getty

If you skip the sale or reduced-price section, you may be missing out on great deals.

You might find cheaper versions of items you were planning on buying anyway, too. Royalty-Free / Getty Images

Try to avoid getting lured into deals for items you don't actually need.

A great deal can be tempting, but you might end up buying food you don't really need. Al Behrman / AP

You may not want to grab an item from the front of a display.

Oftentimes items in the front have the nearest use-by date. Shutterstock

By visiting the grocery store once every two weeks, you may be missing out on deals and fresher produce.

This may not work for everyone, but it can help you score better deals. Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

Don't be afraid to try the generic version of some foods.

Some items are worth buying name-brand, but others are just fine generic. Rachel Askinasi/Insider

Don't buy in bulk without calculating if it's worth it.

Buying items in bulk may not save you money if much of what you purchase ends up in the trash. Joey Hadden/Insider

Placing your groceries randomly on the conveyor belt at checkout may inconvenience you and your cashier.

Putting your items on the conveyor belt in a random order may make it trickier for you to unpack your groceries later. Tom Werner / Royalty-Free / Getty Images

I'm a terrible cook and even I can make Gordon Ramsay's 15-minute gourmet pasta

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