I don’t know if algorithm is the right word…I also considered “decision tree” or “rubric”. Bear with me, and I’ll explain.
In a recent miscellany post, I mentioned that as long as something meets my nutritional goals and is reasonably affordable, I’ll buy it.
And that got me thinking about how we probably all have a mental list of criteria we run through when we are making decisions at the grocery store, even though some of it is automatic and subconscious.
So, I’m gonna try to type mine out and see if I can figure out what things I consider.
1. Is it providing good nutritional value?
This is probably one of the top things I consider! I’m always trying to feed myself in ways that help my body, so I look for foods that provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.
Of course, I do buy some things that are strictly for enjoyment (like coffee!), but in general, most of my cart contents pack a decent nutritional punch.
That way, my grocery dollars are providing me with a lot of value.
2. Is it sorta unprocessed?
I’m not going to say I eat an unprocessed diet, because I’m not getting food straight from the farm!
But I aim for “sorta unprocessed”. For example….
A block of Parmesan is less processed than a can of spray cheese.
A container of half and half is less processed than a container of flavored coffee creamer.
A bag of frozen chicken breasts is less processed than a bag of frozen chicken nuggets.
3. Is it quick and convenient?
At this point in my life, I prioritize speed more than I used to. That’s why I buy bags of frozen chicken tenderloins vs. whole chickens, and it’s also why I buy rotisserie chickens pretty regularly!
As long as a quick and convenient food also meets the first two criteria (decent nutrition + sorta unprocessed), I’ll buy it.
(Ooh, salad kits fall under this heading as well!)
4. Is it reasonably affordable?
Some foods meet all three of the above criteria (nutritious, unprocessed, and quick), but they’re not very affordable. For example, some stores sell ready-made meals that are pretty nutritious and also quick to heat up, but they are rather expensive.
I’m willing to pay a little more for convenience, but I have my limits.
5. Is it minimally packaged?
Almost everything we buy is packaged in some way, but there are levels to this! I try to prioritize food that has less packaging.
6. Do I want to eat this?
I almost finished the list without including this question, but it’s important! If a food is nutritious, unprocessed, convenient, affordable, and minimally packaged, but I’d be miserable eating it, what’s the point?
Food serves a purpose (keeping me alive), but I also think it’s supposed to be an enjoyable experience. 🙂 I buy and prepare food that I want to eat!
Relatedly, this is why I also buy some items that meet none of the first five criteria (like…cookie butter. Chocolate. Ice cream. Hot cocoa packets.) They’re just not the bulk of what I buy.
It’s also why I buy sauces, spices, and dressings; they make food more fun.
Always changing
When I look back at earlier times in my life, I can see that these priorities have shifted and changed with different stages of life.
For example, when I had a more barebones grocery budget, affordability was the highest priority!
And in stages when I was home more, I was less concerned about “quick and convenient” than I am now.
What do your “Should I buy this food?” criteria look like right now?
Maybe your rubric looks like mine, or maybe you’re avoiding GMO, buying organic, working around allergies, or something else entirely. Tell us about it!
Source: www.thefrugalgirl.com…