TikTok: Supermarket shopper’s controversial act with broccoli divides the internet

A thrifty shopper revealed she always cuts the stems off her broccoli in stores in a bid to cut the cost of her grocery bill.

Meia Carter, from the US, shared a now-viral TikTok video showing her throwing two stalks back into the pile of broccoli before heading to the checkout.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Shopper’s sneaky grocery trick to save money.

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The footage shows the brave shopper holding a plastic bag full of broccoli crowns as she refuses to pay extra for the stems as the vegetable is charged by weight.

The breaking down of the trunks was not only frowned upon, but buyers considered the act “theft”.

“I don’t pay for these (stems) so I just pull them off and throw them away,” the 41-year-old said.

“I’m only going to pay for what I’m going to eat.”

In a follow-up video, Meia explained how she trims the stems when she does her grocery shopping.

“So when I’m in the store, (if) the stems are really long, I just break them off,” she said.

She said most of the time she cuts the stems with a pocketknife she carries on her.

“I just leave the stems in the store, I don’t need, you can get them,” she said.

Her video has been viewed over 6.4 million times – with thousands split over her money strategy method.

“Genius,” one said.

‘Been doing it for years’

Another cheered her on, saying: “100 per cent going girl, don’t waste money, times are tough as they are.”

One asked, “Wait, is that allowed? I’m all in.”

Another added: ‘I’m doing it from now on.

One confessed, “Ha… Been doing this for years.”

While another said: “Every little bit of savings helps. It all comes together. Good for you for shopping wisely.”

She is not the only one who discards excess products in stores.

“I’m one of those people who takes some of the grapes out of my bag and adds them to another – they’ll go bad at my house, but someone else will eat them.”

‘Cheapskate’ act

Many mocked the woman for her “cheapskate” act – while others joked about how they were “saving money” on their grocery bills.

“This is why I remove the apple cores before I check out,” joked one.

Another said: “That’s exactly why I peel my fruit in the aisles. You won’t catch me paying for a banana peel.”

One wrote: “I take the raw chicken out of the plastic because I don’t want to pay for the plastic.”

One jokingly added: “I take everything out of the original packaging and put it all in my mouth on the way out for the same exact reason.”

Another said: “This is why I always peel my potatoes at the grocery store.”

While one joked: “I pull the bones out of my chicken wings, and then I just pay for the meat.”

‘Stems are fantastic’

Meanwhile, many have urged shoppers to reconsider eating broccoli stems.

“The stalks are fantastic sauteed in sesame oil,” said one.

Another suggested: “You don’t eat the stem? You are seriously missing out. Just use a vegetable peeler and cut it into cubes, cook it with the rest. It has a delicious sweetness.”

While one added: “Funny thing, the stem is actually healthier than the top. I peel it and cook it with the rest… it’s kind of like artichoke with butter.”

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