We kept telling chicken jokes in the grocery store so you know what they did? Sent us into eggs aisle. 😵🥚
Does buying your groceries online change your eating habits? 🍽️ Researchers from Penn State University took a look under the hood. Let’s dive into what they found! 🤓
Here’s Five Fast Facts on online grocery shopping and how we eat:
- 🧑💻 Surf & Turf - During the COVID coop up, many of us turned to online grocery shopping to steer clear of germs. However, when things went back to normal, people kept up with their online orders. This past August, monthly online grocery sales passed the $11B mark for the very first time.
- 🥕 Veggin’ Out - Researchers found that when we buy groceries online, we’re more likely to make healthier choices. People opt to throw more fruits, veggies, and whole grains into their cart. They also make less impulse buys, like the candy bar or soda at the checkout counter.
- 🛒 Location, Location, Location - Research also showed the impacts of online grocery shopping may differ depending on location. If you live in a place with good supermarkets and fresh food options, online shopping tends to be on the healthy side. However, if you live in a place that’s heavy on convenience stores and light on quality markets, what’s online will reflect what’s available. Thanks to ads and promotions, people are more likely to add those unhealthy items to their cart.
- 🗑️ Waste Not, Want Not - Online shopping is also a great way to reduce food waste. Researchers found that people who buy groceries online often plan meals ahead of time so they’re more likely to only buy what they need. Will you finish that bag of spinach before it wilts? Only time will tell.
- ✅ Supermarket Sweep - Pro tip: when you’re adding groceries to your cart, be mindful of algorithms. Stores like to push whatever has the highest profit margins, and a lot of those items are highly processed junk. Also, filters are your friend! Use them to sort for things like organic produce or SNAP-eligible items to make the most of your order.
🔥Bottom line: Depending on where you live and your household needs, online shopping can be a treat. Just don’t go overboard on the Halloween candy. OK, a few extra Reese’s Cups never hurt anyone. Gone are the days of letting your sister use your Netflix account. Streaming services now charge extra for sharing outside your home. Find out much in this article!
Do you prefer online or in-store grocery shopping?
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