In the first segment of a two part series on making wise grocery purchases, dietitian Charlotte Baker pointed out the errors of impulsive buying and poor food selections.

Baker weighs in on a healthy approaches that makes the most of your hard earned dollar.

Hard to come by food dollars should be spent on healthy choices, that's the way registered dietitian Charlotte Baker sums up things.

"It keeps you from having to visit the doctor as often except for your preventive visits, also can help diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure," said Baker.

A big part of smart buying includes planning meals in advance, and by all means make that list.

"One of the best ways of formulating your list, your grocery shopping list, is to look at the grocery store ads," added Baker.

"That can give you information about how you want to plan your meals for that week, which foods you want to include," she said.

Foods should be bought in bulk while they are on sale.

There are certain foods people on fixed income should definitely put into the shopping cart.

"Dried beans and peas, any type of non meat protein. Peanut butter is also another food that can be, you know, if you don't have obviously food allergies.

Experts suggests spending little time in the middle isles of the grocery store.

The higher priced items that are high on calories and sodium are found there.

According to Baker, the worst thing to do, is shop for groceries on an empty stomach.