Over the years there have been lots of TV programmes where experts 'spy' on peoples weekly shopping trolley and then surprise them and make them own up to all the 'bad' things they've bought. I remember several series of Gregg Wallace and Chris Bavin - Eat Well - Spend Less and recently Michael Mosley - Secrets of Your Big Shop.
This is either done to help them save money or eat better or both. Nearly always a family who want to change something and their big shop sometimes has lots of fizzy drinks and crisps but it has all the things they need for meals.
I've often wondered why none of these programmes feature one retired person.
So I photographed my last weeks shopping and wondered what on earth an 'expert' would make of it. There's no main things for meals, but lots of milk. Nothing makes sense at all.
There are pears, apples, grapes and lemons. Cauliflower, carrots and potatoes. Butter and Willow spread and bread flour. Milk and cashews and mixed nuts and raisons. Mayo and cheese, a pack of six mini naans and some cooking chocolate for cake making.
I used to wonder that too. I was pleased to see last Monday, that in the looking ar random trolleys segment, one featured was a really good shop with nothing to criticise! Never seen that done before.
ReplyDeleteThey do make enjoyable viewing though! xx
Missed that episode - I shall have to catch up
DeletePerhaps we are too sensible? It would be very hard to suggest 'healthy' or 'better budget' changes for someone whose trolley is mostly fresh goods (fruit, veg, dairy) because there are preprepared meals in the freezer at home. Also, I think people who shop with a list tend to buy what they need as they need it. Hence the "randomness" of the trolley. I do not buy teabags/coffee every week, nor mayo. Perhaps they should do a special programme about wise OAPs and their wise shopping habits (I could suggest at least three of you called Sue who together could make a fascinating programme)
ReplyDeleteWith more older people in the country they are missing out a big segment of the population by always featuring families!
DeleteI'd watch it!
DeletePerhaps because we all started our housekeeping before the days of ready-meals and takeaways we had to be organised. Particularly when working full-time and only being able to shop once a week. Living miles from a shop also concentrates the mind!
ReplyDeleteSpent most of my life several miles from a shop and even now within walking distance of a village shop their fruit and veg is so horrible I wouldn't buy it
DeleteI'm sure many of us recall the days when our mothers went shopping on a daily basis and bought only what was needed for that day. I don't think today's family units would cope with it and I think that weekly shopping in supermarkets where there is an almost infinite selection to pick from is to blame for random choices.
ReplyDeleteI hate the way we're pressured into buying more than is needed if we want the best price. Thank goodness for Lakeland green food savr bags.
There are so many parts of a supermarket that I never visit!
DeleteI thought that was a lot of milk but it made sense with freezer space.
ReplyDeleteHow are the snowdrops coming along?
The snowdrops are slowly appearing, both front and back are frost traps so everything is late
DeleteWe have an online delivery about every three weeks with the heavy and bulky stuff mainly delivered. We also have a delivery about 4 times a year from local butcher My local supermarket shop would look very random like yours as it’s the fresh things that are needed in between. I agree with Ang about the number of people who comment here who could show people how to eat well on a sensible budget. I’ve just fired off a photo of 3 rotten peppers with their barcodes to Waitrose this morning. 4 days in the fridge and all brown and mushy when I went to use them-euch! Catriona
ReplyDeleteGoodness those peppers must have been ancient before you got them, I've stored my own fresh cut peppers for many weeks
DeleteIt would be interesting - single people of any age are not represented, I think.
ReplyDeleteWe don't exist for lots of reasons!
DeleteIt might be worth contacting the programme makers suggesting they look at a single person's shop and what tips could be passed on. Shopping and budgeting could also be included in food technology lessons at secondary schools where an excellent level of eating well. cooking and food preparation is delivered.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't really want to be on TV - I had my 10 seconds many years ago!
DeleteNot at all weird. It looks like the shopping of someone who has checked what they have in stock, and has made a careful list of what ingredients they need.
ReplyDeleteIt is real food.
I like to have spares of things as you never know when something is going to have a shortage nowadays
DeleteI would say your shopping is pretty average for anyone of our age. We go out usually armed with a list (if it's not currently being used as a bookmark!!), we know approximately what is in our cupboards and freezers and buy all the additional things we need to turn what we have into enjoyable meals. I guess we would make for very boring viewing for the people who want to sit and gloat over how much better and cheaper their shopping is than ours.
ReplyDeleteSaying all that I would LOVE to see a programme series with singles of all ages, and maybe a few retired couples. It would be pretty educational to see some people doing most things right for once ... although we all know we are not angels when it comes to the odd treat. :-)
I don't know what an expert would make of my shopping this week I have just photographed it for the blog. There are no actual meals AND I went over budget!
They really could reach different audiences if they did programmes for different ages. How about an over 60's Love Island!!
DeleteWhat an interesting discussion following an interesting post. Even armed with a list I'm a bit of a haphazard food shopper, easily distracted 😀
ReplyDeleteOH tries to keep me on the straight and narrow but every now again when unpacking the bags he'll remark " all very nice but what are we going to have to eat?" 😉😂
Alison in Wales x
Batch cooking saves me lots of hassles - always a meal ready in the freezer and I'm lost without a list
DeleteHaving many nicely prepared homemade meals in your freezer is such a thrifty and healthy meal. Your groceries show the side dishes and extras. Makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely doesn't look like a weeks shopping for meals - but plenty in the freezer
DeleteWouldn't make for turn around tv I'm afraid...but it's surprising what a little inventive behaviour can come up with.
ReplyDeleteEveryone would turn off if they saw a programme about over 60's shopping!
DeleteI've stopped watching that programme as I can't understand why people should lie about what they eat. There is enough information in the media about healthy eating so why don't people know what to eat. My shopping trolley would be just like yours Sue.
ReplyDeleteI think it shows someone prepared. You need a stock up of fresh fruit and veg. Lots can be made with just that.
ReplyDeleteAs part of the over 60s shopping group, your haul isn't terribly different than mine on Saturday... 2 big bags of mandarins, 1 bag of apples, 2 bags of cherries, 2 dozen eggs, leaf lettuce, frozen potstickers, and ice cream. All on sale. --Elise
ReplyDeleteWe've got a freezer full of meat, venison mainly, pork, a turkey, a ham and chicken. I've got frozen veggies from the garden and frozen blueberries. I've got a year's worth of coffee beans, probably, and some soups, tucked away and ready to be heated up. I buy most of my seasonings and canned goods from an Amish store. About 75 lbs of potatoes left. I supplement what we have with what I need to turn them into meals at the grocery store. They would have a hard time figuring out what we're eating based on my grocery shopping.
ReplyDeleteIt speaks of someone who plans what they eat and knows what they already have in. Arilx
ReplyDeleteHello Sue ☺. Many moons ago I used to follow your blog. Around the time you lost your dear husband Colin and the brave house move that you made in 2021. I have recently found you again. Back in December I lost my beloved husband Terry after a short illness, too soon and too quick. We were together for 50 plus
ReplyDeleteYears (we were babies when we wed). He was my life, my love and my soul mate and my heart is broken 💔. I also fell in the garden and broke my shoulder! Just out of the sling and now able to drive again. I dont have a family but I have my two Kits 🐱🐈🐾 that are giving me a reason to get up in the morning. I don't do social media or face book but I will continue to read your blog and be inspired by how you continue to be so brave. Someone recently said that grief never goes away it just gets quieter, slower, and then sometimes it comes rushing back like the sea 😟. Sending love, light and blessings to you. Veronica xx
I looked at our last shopping trolley and my heart sank. Biscuits for the children, Nutella for goodness sake!! Yoghurt squishies, packets of raisins. It was the Big Shop before school went back,and we have the grandchildren two afternoons a week and have to get them over to swimming and Gym lessons and they’re starving afterwards. Beforehand is egg sandwiches, carrot sticks, baby tomatoes, fruit and healthy stuff, but afterwards they just need rubbish to keep them. Going.
ReplyDeleteI’m in hospital (all well, surgery went fine) but it won’t let me sign in….
Virginia