Buying in bulk saves a lot of money, but it can be challenging to use up bulk purchases of food before they spoil. However, it gets a lot easier when you focus on healthy, unprocessed foods that do not spoil as quickly as other items like bread, ice cream, or cheese.
Bulk purchases of dried beans, nuts, grains, and seeds can last for years, so people always have healthy and affordable food options. Dietitian Rachel Dickens has five healthy foods she encourages her clients to buy in bulk.
Almonds
There are all sorts of ways to use almonds in meals, including grinding them into a keto-friendly breading, eating them as a snack, or making one’s own almond butter. Getting small tins of almonds can be prohibitively expensive, but purchasing in bulk makes them a lot more affordable.
Rice
Low in calories and high in fiber, rice is an extremely affordable side dish when people buy it in bulk. Skip processed white rice and select black or brown rice instead. These versions of rice contain more fiber, so they keep people full longer and help maintain intestinal health.
Dried Chickpeas
Dried chickpeas last longer than canned, and they are also less likely to be contaminated by BPAs and other chemicals. Cooking dried chickpeas is as simple as soaking them in water, tossing them in a pot with boiling water, and forgetting them for an hour. The end result is soft, fluffy chickpeas that can be made into hummus, salad, falafel, and other tasty meals.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are an ideal way to get zinc, but they tend to be pricey when purchased in bags of mixed nuts. Getting them in bulk is ideal because pepitas do not go bad quickly. They can be sprinkled on a variety of sweet and savory food to make sure people get enough nutrition.
Lentils
Dried lentils do not require a long soaking time like other legumes, and they are a great source of fiber and protein. All you have to do is let them simmer for a little while. There are all sorts of ways to use lentils, including stirring them into soups, making an India curry, or tossing chilled lentils in a salad.