Turning to dollar stores for groceries? Here’s what a dietician recommends
As Canadians proceed to really feel the monetary toll of inflation whereas grocery buying, extra want to their native low cost retailer to seek out financial savings.
But whereas these shops are sometimes stocked with low-cost and ultra-processed meals merchandise, a Canadian registered dietitian says it’s attainable to get wholesome meals at shops corresponding to Dollarama, Dollar Tree and Great Canadian Dollar Store when you’re prepared to plan forward and do some further label studying.
“I think you could absolutely still find nutritious, healthy foods at a lower cost,” Bailey Franklyn, who works in long-term care, instructed CTVNews.ca throughout a telephone interview. “It’s just going to take a little bit of planning ahead and knowing what to look for and basically changing up your shopping style a little bit if you’re really looking to save some money.”
This, nevertheless, comes with a caveat, she warned.
If individuals want to lower your expenses by buying meals at low cost and greenback shops, “they might find themselves choosing those (ultra-processed products).”
“Some products that are ultra-processed often have higher sodium or higher fat or more sugar. They might have less fibre and other micronutrients that we look for when making healthier choices.”
Franklyn says the one strategy to keep away from compromising dietary worth for cheaper choices is to do a “little bit more label reading.”
“Comparing sodium, comparing fat, comparing fibre to see what’s within their budget, but also what is the healthier product,” she mentioned.
According to inflation information launched Tuesday by Statistics Canada, Canada’s annual inflation fee elevated to three.3 per cent in July. This follows a short-lived tumble in June, when Canada’s inflation fee went right down to 2.8 per cent.
The Consumer Price Index discovered that the worth of fruits, rice, flour and bakery items have steadily climbed in current months.
Franklyn famous that meals buying at greenback shops has some execs and cons.
“The pros are that you become a more savvy shopper,” she mentioned. “You have to get a little more creative with the meals that you’re making and what recipes you’re going to use or what cooking styles you’re going to use.”
She added that, when you’re on the greenback retailer, objects corresponding to dried beans, legumes, chickpeas, canned fruit, canned beans, or canned tuna and salmon may all be nutritiously possible choices which might be extra inexpensive than they might be in additional upscale grocery shops.
“The cons are that some things are going to be more heavily processed,” Franklyn mentioned.
“When it comes to label red flags, I think it depends person to person, but across the board, I suggest looking for lower sodium and lower fat while possible.”
Franklyn additionally advises customers to be cautious of checking best-before dates whereas contemplating cheaper choices, significantly at greenback shops.
Nuts, seeds, beans, and peanut butter are additionally choices that Franklyn says will preserve dietary worth at a less expensive value, she provides.
“Other than that I think choosing more often things that are higher in fibre, higher in vitamins and minerals, iron and calcium. Also things that have less added sugar. Those are the things we want to choose more often.”
Franklyn added that, generally, comfort is what prices probably the most whereas buying.
“Quite often we are paying for things to be a little more convenient,” she mentioned.
“Things like chopped salads, chopped vegetables, and pre-made dishes come with a higher price point. And if people are looking to save some money at the grocery store, I would say convenience is the thing they are going to be compromising.”
