CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anyone who has recently purchased groceries has noticed food is expensive. One strategy to save money is buying in bulk but there are a few types of food that were worth the pantry storage and others that don't pay off as much.
AARP outlined the food items that make the most sense to buy in bulk and the ones that don't.
Let's start with the best foods to buy in bulk:
Frozen fruits and vegetables
According to AARP, frozen fruits and veggies are the most freezer-friendly of all foods so if there's room in the freezer, don’t hesitate to buy in bulk.
Pasta
This pantry staple is a great bulk buy because it technically never expires. Keep in mind though that it will taste the freshest if eaten within two years of purchase.
Nuts
Full of protein and healthy fats, buy them in the shell to extend shelf life.
Canned salmon and tuna
A great source of protein, easy to store with a long shelf life makes canned salmon and tuna a great bulk buy.
RELATED: 4 ways to spend less on groceries
Here are the worst foods to buy in bulk according to AARP:
Junk food
Buying a big container of junk food might seem like a good idea but be warned, most of it will end up stale over time.
Olive oil
While you might think this popular oil doesn't ever go bad, it actually has a limited shelf life. If you end up buying more than you need, you'll have to store it in a dark, cool spot to keep it as fresh as possible.
Fresh or frozen fish
According to the experts at AARP, fish has a very high water content so freezing it for an extended period of time can cause it to lose flavor.
Cheese
Unfortunately, cheese doesn't freeze well so you'll need to eat it before it expires.
Contact Carolyn Bruck at cbruck@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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