Introduction
Summer is a time for outdoor barbecues, picnics, and beach days. But when it comes to grocery shopping, there are certain foods you should avoid. From processed meats to sugary drinks, these nine summer foods are best left off your grocery list. Eating these foods can lead to health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Instead, opt for healthier alternatives that will keep you feeling energized and refreshed all summer long. Read on to learn which summer foods you should never buy at the grocery store.
9 Summer Foods You Should Never Buy at the Grocery Store — Eat This Not That
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all the delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables that are available. But there are some foods that you should avoid buying at the grocery store. Here are nine summer foods you should never buy at the grocery store.
1. Pre-Cut Watermelon
Pre-cut watermelon may seem like a convenient option, but it’s not worth the extra money. The pre-cut watermelon is often not as fresh as the whole watermelon, and it can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own watermelon.
2. Pre-Cut Melon
Just like pre-cut watermelon, pre-cut melon is not worth the extra money. The pre-cut melon is often not as fresh as the whole melon, and it can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own melon.
3. Pre-Cut Pineapple
Pre-cut pineapple is another food that you should avoid buying at the grocery store. The pre-cut pineapple is often not as fresh as the whole pineapple, and it can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own pineapple.
4. Pre-Cut Mangoes
Just like pre-cut pineapple, pre-cut mangoes are not worth the extra money. The pre-cut mangoes are often not as fresh as the whole mangoes, and they can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own mangoes.
5. Pre-Cut Peaches
Pre-cut peaches are another food that you should avoid buying at the grocery store. The pre-cut peaches are often not as fresh as the whole peaches, and they can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own peaches.
6. Pre-Cut Nectarines
Just like pre-cut peaches, pre-cut nectarines are not worth the extra money. The pre-cut nectarines are often not as fresh as the whole nectarines, and they can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own nectarines.
7. Pre-Cut Grapes
Pre-cut grapes are another food that you should avoid buying at the grocery store. The pre-cut grapes are often not as fresh as the whole grapes, and they can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own grapes.
8. Pre-Cut Strawberries
Just like pre-cut grapes, pre-cut strawberries are not worth the extra money. The pre-cut strawberries are often not as fresh as the whole strawberries, and they can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own strawberries.
9. Pre-Cut Tomatoes
Pre-cut tomatoes are another food that you should avoid buying at the grocery store. The pre-cut tomatoes are often not as fresh as the whole tomatoes, and they can be more expensive. Plus, you don’t get to enjoy the experience of cutting your own tomatoes.
So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to avoid these nine summer foods. Instead, opt for the whole versions of these fruits and vegetables and enjoy the experience of cutting them yourself.
What’s one truly enjoyable summertime activity? Eating, of course! And, it can be a truly special experience during this time of year. Foods like tomatoes, berries, watermelon, corn, melons, and stone fruits are at their peak during the summer months. Thanks to a proliferation of farmer’s markets and CSAs (community-supported agriculture), customers have access to unique regional varieties of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Supporting these institutions puts dollars back into the local economy, reduces the need to transport food long distances, and benefits small-scale farmers and artisans.
And although we can’t rely on farmer’s markets for the entirety of our shopping list, the Meatless Monday team suggests some foods that you should just avoid purchasing from grocery stores during the summer months—for your health, your environment, and your wallet. These foods may be too salty, too sugary, or too expensive. So skip the premade lemonade, canned soup, and these other seven other grocery store staples.
They’re good to have in your pantry during winter, but buying canned soup during the summer isn’t the best plan. Canned soup contains a lot of sodium, as it acts as both a preservative and flavor enhancer, but too much of the stuff can leave you feeling puffy and bloated. The good news is that you can easily make healthier versions of soup at home using any leftover vegetables from your most recent shopping trip. It can be hot (vegetable soup) or it can be cold and refreshing (cucumber soup or watermelon gazpacho)—the choice is yours.
Sure, they’re a staple of trail mixes, but dried fruit contains a shocking amount of sugar. During the summer, when nature’s bounty is in full force, try opting for fresh fruit from your local grocery store or supermarket. If there’s a local farmer’s market nearby, even better! Some small farms offer unique varieties of fruit that are unavailable other times of the year.
Remember the classic lemonade stand? Kids could earn a few dollars making their own refreshing lemonade using three simple ingredients: sugar, water, and lemon juice. However, lemonade purchased in the grocery store typically includes high fructose corn syrup and other preservatives. It’s also more expensive than making a big batch on your own. Plus, it doesn’t taste as refreshing!
Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, parsley, and rosemary add a tremendous amount of flavor and brightness to grilled vegetables, pastas, and flatbreads, but these ingredients can be expensive at the grocery store. Because they’re pre-picked and packaged, their flavor starts to fade and they rarely last for more than a week in the fridge. If possible, try growing your own herbs in planters throughout your kitchen or in a home garden. That being said, if you don’t have the time/patience/space to grow your own, freeze whatever herbs you do purchase by blending them into a paste and freezing them in ice cube trays or plastic bags so you’ll have them all season long.
Kids and adults alike crave a cold, refreshing ice pop on a sweltering summer afternoon. But you don’t have to shell out extra dough to buy premade ice pops at the grocery store. All you need is a simple popsicle mold in order to turn fruit juice, fruit purée, and yogurt (dairy or non-dairy) into beautiful frozen creations. Need some inspiration? Try these gorgeous fruity mango, chia, popsicles and be sure to impress your guests—no matter what age.
Pancakes and waffles are great summer morning treats, but part of the fun is cooking these breakfast staples in your own kitchen. If you need some inspiration, try making these vegan chocolate chip pancakes or cinnamon whole wheat waffles.
As the temperature climbs, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Pickles are very high in sodium, and consuming too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and cause the kidneys and liver to work harder. Although eating pickles in moderation is fine, consider slowing down consumption during the summer. If you want that sharp, refreshing flavor of pickles, try making your own using whatever vegetables you have on hand.
We know they’re tempting, but it’s best to avoid those plastic containers of pre-sliced fruits and vegetables. Although they do save a little bit of prep time, they’re usually double or triple the price of the unprocessed ingredient. Plus, after they’re sliced or chopped, many foods start degrading in quality and flavor.
Whenever you go to a cookout, you’re bound to see a bowl of potato salad amongst the spread. Potato salad is a cool and creamy side beloved by all, but the store-bought varieties often include loads of mayonnaise and even some sweeteners. Thankfully, you can easily whip up a potato salad at home, using fresh ingredients purchased from the grocery store or farmer’s market. Try mixing up with this recipe for mayo-less potato salad with coconut “bacon”.
Hungry yet? Well, the summer won’t last forever, so it’s time to get cooking. Try exploring your local farmer’s market, and experiment with seasonal fruits and vegetables that you’ve never seen or tasted before. This is an excellent way to introduce more plant-based foods into your household. And who knows, you might discover some new favorite ingredients.
Meatless Monday