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Best & worst foods to buy in bulk

Buying groceries in bulk can save money, but only certain foods really help.

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.

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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.

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Kitchen storage organization

Nuts

Full of protein and healthy fats, buy them in the shell to extend shelf life.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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Cheese

Unfortunately, cheese doesn't freeze well so you'll need to eat it before it expires.

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