What are some groceries you should never buy on sale?
Whether you’re walking by a display in a supermarket or a boutique in town, one thing is sure: If there’s a sale sign, chances are you’re going to take advantage. And while there’s no better feeling than saving some money here and there, grocery store discounts aren’t always worth it.
In recent months, ingredient recalls, bird flu, supply chain issues, and general economic inflation have all directly affected the cost of supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and restaurants.
But even as grocery prices across the country continue to go up, with goods like poultry, eggs, and sugar becoming especially expensive, it’s important to know which foods are worth paying full price for and which can be bought at a discount.
Although the savings could be tempting, it’s likely you could wind up wasting food or, worse, you could get sick. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t ship for discounted goods at the supermarket, but there are some you may want to reconsider adding to your cart.
Without further ado, here are some groceries you should never buy on sale!
1. Super soft fruits
The best way to test most kinds of fruits to see if they are ripped is to give them a gentle squeeze. Whether it’s melons, avocados, mangos, citrus, plums, apricots, or peaches, you should ensure you choose those that are fresh.
Fruit at its peak will give slightly when pressed and bounce back rather than stay dented and bruised. But if you see an enticing tower of dark green avocados at the grocery store and they are on sale and all seem easily squeezable, you may want to steer clear. This is the perfect example of groceries you should never buy on sale.
According to the FDA, avocados can last up to four days if kept in the fridge after the day of purchase, but if yours are already past their prime, you’ve got far less time.
Overripe avocados are highly prone to bruising, and you definitely don’t want to slice open yours at home only to discover a brown mess inside. In fact, by the time you get home with your cheap avocados, they will likely be long past their peak texture and flavor.
What you should do instead is opt for lighter green, firmer avocados. After a couple of days on the counter, the fruit will have the perfect creamy consistency to spread on your toast. Apply the same rule of thumb to other delicate fruits and vegetables, too.
2. Bruised produce
Some of the groceries you should never buy on sale are bruised produce. Over recent years, “imperfect” produce (also known as ugly produce) has become popular, debunking the idea that fruits and veggies have to look a certain way so you know they are fresh and tasty.
But in most cases, when produce has visible signs of age and damage and is on sale, the deal is too good to be true. These signs include brown spots, dark bruises, scabs, or cuts. The same thing is true if the fruits or vegetables look shriveled and dried out.
These are all signs that the produce has been sitting around for quite a while at the supermarket, and it won’t have the texture, flavor, or nutrients you’re looking for, making them one of the groceries you should never buy on sale.
There’s a difference between an apple with unique coloring and one with bruises. If you notice deep indents on produce, it’s a sign that that fruit or vegetable has oxidized and is no longer at peak freshness. These are groceries you should never buy on sale, so opt for produce that is bruise-free instead.
3. Soon-to-expire dairy products
Dairies are another category of groceries you should never buy on sale. When it comes to soon-to-expire dairy products, it may be tempting to pick them up, as they’re usually on sale. However, while not every expiration date is a hard-and-fast deadline for freshness and food safety, certain items are best bought in advance of their use- or sell-by date.
Fresh dairy products, especially those in large containers, such as yogurt, milk, cheese, and cream, will start to go bad soon after they’re opened and exposed to air. FDA recommendations state that milk can be stored in the fridge for up to seven days, while yogurt takes one to two weeks.
This being said, unless you’re sure you can finish a gallon of half-off milk within a couple of days or so, keep in mind that these are groceries you should never buy on sale. In other words, it’s better to pay full price or choose a smaller container that won’t be sitting in your refrigerator for days.
4. Pre-cut produce
Buying pre-chopped or pre-cut produce can be very convenient, but it’s not always the best choice to make at the grocery store. As one category of groceries you should never buy on sale, you’re getting way less bang for the money you spend on it, and there’s a chance that there’s cross-contamination since someone else prepared it.
Yes, it’s tempting to buy pre-cut produce on sale. Not only will you save some money, but you’ll also have a healthy snack. However, it’s likely that the quality isn’t up to snuff, so you could be putting yourself and your family at risk of contracting a foodborne illness.
Read on to discover other groceries you should never buy on sale!
5. Pre-packaged meals
If you need something to eat in a pinch, a pre-made meal from the supermarket may sound like a great option. However, the main drawback of these convenient dishes (on sale or not) is that they’re usually packed with fat and sodium and will never be as nutritive as what you prepare at home.
In other words, these ready-made meals definitely serve a purpose when you need them most.
However, when it comes to those that are on sale, it’s better to skip them altogether. Similar to other groceries you should never buy on sale, if it’s got a sale sticker on it, there’s a chance it’s been there since the day before, so the product likely won’t be at peak freshness.
6. Damaged canned goods
While it’s true that canned goods can be stored in your pantry for longer than most food items, not all canned goods are okay for the long haul. Bumps and dents can happen, especially if the cans are handled poorly during transit, and the USDA recommends avoiding those with deep dents “that you can stick your finger into”. Similar to other groceries you should never buy on sale, damaged canned goods can put your health at risk.
Why is that? The craters can let potentially dangerous bacteria, such as botulism, enter the can. The store will want to get rid of those damaged goods, so they will put them on sale. Well, now that you’ve read this, you should know the deal isn’t worth it. The same thing applies for any jars or cans that are bulging on the side lids or sides.
7. Bulk spices
Next on the list of groceries you should never buy on sale are bulk spices. Despite what many might think, dried herbs and spices don’t last long. In fact, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that most spices expire within six months from the time you open the package.
While dried spices won’t necessarily rot or spill like fresh products, they do lose their aroma, flavor, and potency over time, especially after they’ve been exposed to air. So, while buying in bulk may seem more cost-effective, you’ll wind up wasting money because you won’t be able to use all that paprika or cinnamon before it goes bad.
By the way, here’s a great spice rack to keep your herbs and condiments neat and easily accessible.
8. Products you can’t properly store
Another category of groceries you should never buy on sale are items that you simply don’t have the storage space for. For instance, if your freezer is already packed with fruits for smoothies, use those up before buying a super-cheap box of ice cream.
Moreover, it’s never a good idea to overcrowd the storage space in your kitchen, because that makes it almost impossible to keep track of what you have.
If you liked our article on groceries you should never buy on sale, you may also want to read Comparison Shopping: 8 Best Tips on How to Get Great Deals.
