To eat or not to eat

[fe2o3ez]

Real quick question: i know that they say you will save something like 40% by buying only what's on your grocery list and that you should never buy on an empty stomach. However, if I shop on a full stomach, I don't feel like buying anything that is related to food, and I can't accurately estimate what we might be hungry for during the week. I might even ignore items that are on our list because it just doesn't sound good to me when I am full.

So how do you REALLY shop? Empty or full...

[lovcom]

One's current level of hunger should never dictate what one buys when shopping for groceries. This is one reason a list is a good thing....allows you to get those items you'll needing during the up coming week even as you are not hungry to eat them during your shopping time.

Use a better metric then current hunger level....build a list during the week and shop off that.

[gertymac]

For practical reasons, I tend to shop after I've had a snack but not a full meal.

So, I guess somewhere between full and hungry.

[kork13]

As to the actual question, I'll go with gertymac -- not full, but normally not on an empty stomach.

To address the real issue, I'd say the best thing for you would be to put together a shopping list during the week. If it works for you, plan your meals out a week in advance. That way you'll know what you need. Alternately, I just keep a standard pantry "load out", basically the stuff I always keep on hand. As I see it's running low, I put it on my list for the next shopping trip.

But however you do it, as others have said, you need to know what you want at the grocery store BEFORE you walk through the doors.

[maat55]

Just make a list and stick to it. If you are short what you need, you will not make that mistake again.

[MonkeyMama]

Just make a list and stick to it. If you are short what you need, you will not make that mistake again.

Agreed.

We only shop off a list, but plan for many meals. The order of the meals doesn't really matter much. If not in the mood for some things, you will be for others on the list.

So you are not in the mood to eat something - you probably will be later. I shop full all the time. When I shop hungry, that's when the other stuff calls to you - it really does...

[Caoineag]

I shop on an empty stomach. Usually not a problem unless I am starving. The few times I am starving, I usually insist on eating beforehand. I always shop with a list (both in hand and in memory, DH has this thing about thinking we have plenty of something we are about to run out of).

[Caoineag]

Just make a list and stick to it. If you are short what you need, you will not make that mistake again.

So not true for my household...

[jasonnoguchi]

Just bring enough money for what you want to buy. Nothing more. or ok, just very slightly more.

[myrdale]

I know this may sound weird, but personally I am turned off by food. If I go shopping on a full stomach, I don't want anything there. If I am mildly hungry then I usually get enough to last me the week.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Usually list shop, but recently not.

[feh]

It doesn't matter if I'm full or hungry. We make a list, and we buy what's on the list.

[boosami]

I can shop the same whether it's on a full or empty stomach. If you can't do the same, put self control on your list!

[mom-from-missouri]

I agree with kork13. Eating doesn't matter to me, but I do find it goes better shopping without the husband and all the kids. I just take enough kids to push all the carts, as I bulk shop.