MOVIE THEATER BUTTER POPCORN
Can you ever really go wrong with extra movie theater buttered popcorn? Answer: no. Go big on your popcorn game and your summer movie nights will never be the same. [1]
CANNED BEANS
Yes, dry beans are even cheaper when purchased in bulk, but given that most folks in the U.S. are under a time crunch, choosing canned can still provide the nutrition you need with a quicker cook time. If low- or no-added sodium varieties are available, then opt for those. Otherwise, rinsing the beans can cut the sodium by up to 40 percent. [2]
HONEY
Although honey is often thought to stay edible indefinitely, some factors can impact its quality and decrease its shelf life. Storage conditions, including heat and humidity, can affect the aroma, texture, and flavor of honey, making its shelf life hard to determine. Because there is no way to define an expiration date for all types of honey due to differences in storage, the National Honey Board recommends storing honey for up to two years. This is still an amazingly long shelf life, making honey the perfect item to buy in bulk. [3]
MEDIUM CHUNKY SALSA
Chances are any party you host or attend this summer will include chips and dip—and lots of it. So buying endless 15.5 ounce jars of salsa is just a waste of money. Why do so when you can get a literal 4 pound jug to glug for just $7.99? Think about it. [4]
FROZEN BERRIES
When fresh berries aren't in season, frozen berries can come in handy. Traditional supermarkets charge a ton for these frozen goodies, and that’s when purchasing in bulk can save you a nice amount of dough. Thaw berries (like blueberries and raspberries) and add to muffin, scone, cookie and pancake batters, or use them in parfaits and smoothies. [5]
NUTS IN THE SHELL
Nuts in the shell last much longer than shelled nuts, making them a great choice for long-term storage. In most cases, purchasing nuts in the shell extends their shelf life. For example, almonds in the shell will keep for up to six months when stored at 68℉ (20℃), while shelled almonds only last four months when stored at the same temperature (14).
Purchase nuts like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and pecans in the shell and crack them with a nutcracker as needed. An extra benefit of nuts in the shell is that it takes more time and effort to prepare them than shelled nuts, which may slow eating and lead to a reduction in calorie intake. [6]
[1] Mead, Taylor. "11 Food Staples You Didn't Know You Could Buy In Bulk." Delish, 27 April 2021, https://www.delish.com/food/g28006381/best-food-to-buy-in-bulk/
[2] Amidor, Tony. "The Best Foods to Buy in Bulk." Food Network, 27 April 2021, https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-every-week/healthy-tips/the-best-foods-to-buy-in-bulk
[3] Kubala, Jillian. "The 18 Best Healthy Foods to Buy In Bulk." Healthline, 27 April 2021, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-buy-in-bulk
[4] Mead, Taylor. "11 Food Staples You Didn't Know You Could Buy In Bulk." Delish, 27 April 2021, https://www.delish.com/food/g28006381/best-food-to-buy-in-bulk/
[5] Amidor, Tony. "The Best Foods to Buy in Bulk." Food Network, 27 April 2021, https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-every-week/healthy-tips/the-best-foods-to-buy-in-bulk
[6] Kubala, Jillian. "The 18 Best Healthy Foods to Buy In Bulk." Healthline, 27 April 2021, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-buy-in-bulk