Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, no doubt about it. It is also better for the environment as it helps you cut down on packaging but there are some foods you might want to reconsider in bulk. Any food that will spoil before you have the chance to use them aren't really saving you money. You might as well be throwing dollar bills directly into your trash can.
Here are 8 foods you should stick to buying in smaller packages:
1. Nuts And Seeds
Nuts and seeds are loaded with oil from healthy unsaturated fats. The downside is that these fats go rancid quickly which can result in stale nuts and seeds. Even in airtight containers, kept in the dark, they will only last a few months. If you need to extend the shelf life a bit, keep the air tight containers in the fridge or freezer and you can get up to 6 months for nuts and a year for seeds.
2. Brown Rice And Other Whole Grains
Like nuts and seeds, rice and whole grains have lots of oil and can go rancid quickly. The oils are found in the bran and germ of the grains which are removed through processing so aren't found in white rice, for example but remain in whole grains. Only buy what you can use within 6 months and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
3. Oils
If nuts, seeds and whole grains all contain oil that can spoil, it stands to reason that oil can spoil. It might be tempting to buy the large bottles you see in the store but remember that no matter the type, you've got a limited time. 3-6 months, tops.
4. Spices
Spices don't actually go bad but they do, very quickly, go stale. Ground spices lose flavour after 6 months while whole spices last about a year. Since you generally only use small amounts at a time, it is best to buy only what you will use in that time frame. We should probably all be taking another look at our spice cupboard.
5. Condiments
Again, we are looking at 6 months to a year. So those barrel size tubs of ketchup and mustard? You might want to reconsider.
6. Eggs
Unless you eat a few eggs everyday, or are cooking for a crowd, it is unlikely you will get through a bulk quantity during the 3-5 weeks shelf life. Perhaps stick to a dozen.
7. Coffee
Try to use beans that have been roasted within two weeks of you using them. Stay away from buying big bags of beans or those from large bins that have been sitting around. This sitting around makes beans lose their flavour and aroma.
8. Cereal
There is nothing worse than stale cereal. It is obviously tempting to buy those bigger boxes, the price point is right, but unless you want to eat a bowl for every meal, you probably won't get through it before it gets stale.
What foods do you avoid in bulk? Why?
For creative ideas on how to use some of these foods, check out the
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Source:
Fox News,
Epicurious
