As Amazon acquires Whole Foods, tips on how to make the most of your trip to the grocery store.

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Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be just another job on the issues on the case list, and doesn’t have to be stressful and expensive.

People go grocery shopping one and a half times a week on average, according to a 2015 grocery shopping trends report from industry research firm Food Marketing Institute, and spend about $ 100 a week on their grocery bills.

Watch: Grocery stores carry 40,000 more goods than in the 1990s

Others wonder if prices that may be high at Whole Foods (such as $ 6 asparagus water) will be reduced.

In the meantime, There are tricks shoppers can keep in mind when they walk down the aisles of any supermarket:

Forget about the old strategy of shopping the perimeter of the store

The strategy of focusing only on food sold around the perimeter of the store, such as dairy, groceries and bread, no longer works, says Marion Nestle, Professor of nutrition and food research at new York University and author of”what to eat.” This was said to prevent shoppers from wandering into aisles where they would find processed foods, but these days highly processed foods are everywhere, even on the periphery, and people need to look at what exactly the ingredients are in their food, she said.

“Never buy processed foods with more than five ingredients, or one with ingredients you can’t pronounce,” she said. “Basically buy vegetables and enjoy them!”

See also: is organic food really healthier?

Go with a purpose, but allow yourself three impulses

Creating a grocery list before entering a store can prevent a long and expensive, grocery bill. People should think about the dishes they want to make in the week ahead, as well as produce and staple foods, according to the United States Department of agriculture. Organizing the list into different sections and food groups also makes the trip efficient, and using apps or lists that sync with others in the family can keep everyone on track.

Usually 80% of what’s on your shopping list will be the same every week, said Phil Lempert, a food marketing expert and founder of grocery shopping website Supermarket Guru. However, you should include three blank lines at the bottom of the list for impulse buys – this allows you to try new things, but don’t overwork it. But don’t fall in love with the potential deals you see at the end of the aisles – just because items are placed there doesn’t mean they’re for sale. “Always look for signs,” he said. “If there are no signs, it’s not for sale.”

See: how to easily save over $ 200 a month: Make your own lunch

Sometimes packaged foods are better than ” fresh”

Fish sold in seafood showcases may seem fresh, but that’s not always the case, Lempert said. The fish are often frozen and thawed several times between the boat, the distributor and arriving at the supermarket where they are put on ice again. Buying prepackaged fish such as salmon, sole and shrimp in the freezer section is not only cheaper, but it can be tastier and have a better texture than what’s behind the glass.

When buying meats such as beef and chicken, the conventional wisdom is to go for packages at the bottom because they’re the coldest, but that’s not always the best solution, Lempert said. First, the meat at the bottom is being squished by the weight of all the packets on top, resulting in a lack of airflow, according to Lempert. Buyers should take note of the blotter behind the meat-pad which absorbs excess blood. If you lightly press the meat and see excess moisture running out of the blotter, it means it has been sitting there for a while.

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