Healthy Eating on a Budget
Shop the perimeter of the store:
This is where you will find the healthier options and will keep you away from pricier processed foods.
Buy by the bag:
Apples, oranges, grapefruit, potatoes, onions, etc are cheaper by the bag and will fill more lunch bags and cover more meals.
Grains:
Choose whole grain whenever possible (rice and pasta) and buy in bulk. It won’t go bad and can be used in many meals. Buy bulk generic cereal and check out the day old breads.
Frozen:
Frozen fruits and vegetables offer the same nutrition for a cheaper price than fresh. When cooking, make extra to freeze- then you have an easy meal on a busy day.
Work:
As a general rule, the less work you have to do, the more you have to pay. Buy block cheese and shred it yourself. Buy whole vegetables and cut them yourself. Ready-to-cook meats are more expensive- skin and season meats yourself.
Make your own snacks:
There’s been in explosion in single-serving snacks from chips to cookies to cereal. Many are available 100-calorie portions. While portion control is a great thing, you don’t need to pay for it. Buy some snack-size re-sealable plastic bags, and make your own single-serving packets.
Coupons:
Always check newspapers and circulars for coupons. Manufacturers coupons are often valid for several months, so be sure to save them. Be sure to use the bonus card for whatever grocery store you are shopping in.