HF- Eating Healthy Without Breaking the Bank

Healthy Foods

Eating Healthy Without Breaking the Bank

by Leanne Ely, C.N.C

I am often amazed at what I see in some people’s shopping carts at the grocery store. Honestly, if I could, I’d do a grocery store intervention right on the spot! It’s not just the junk food in those carts that bugs me, but how this type of purchase reflects a poor financial decision. Grocery shopping is the one place we can really be frugal financially and be lavish with our health.

Coupons
First things first, coupons. If you don’t have a system or an organizer for your coupons I highly recommend getting one. Shameless plug here, we happen to have ours included in our current Frugal Sale. Just sayin’, LOL

Menu Planning
You know I am a huge believer in saving money at the grocery store by using a list. Your list is derived from your menu. If you don’t have a plan you don’t have a list and you’re leaving yourself wide open to the clever marketing techniques that food producers pay big bucks for (end caps at the grocery store are a case in point). If you’re really on a budget check out our Frugal eCookbook. It includes shopping lists, recipes, nutritional information, and side dish suggestions. Oh, did I mention it is on sale this week too? See I’m all about helping you save money! Just sayin’ again (end of shameless plugs)

Frequent Flier Miles
Ok this is not what you think. We’re talking fliers as in grocery store ads. Watch your fliers for sales on meat and produce. Skip all that processed stuff. What you save on a box of cheesy noodles you’ll pay for in fat, sugar, and lack of nutrients. When it comes to miles I’m talking about driving from store to store to find the best deals. Usually you can save the miles and the gas since most stores will price match. If they don’t, then making the drive for a really good sale might be worth it.

Cheap verses Cheap
You can still eat cheap without sacrificing nutrition. You can select cheaper cuts of meats, supplement your diet with things like beans, brown rice, and get fresh produce from farmers markets or CSA baskets (check out localharvest.org). If you think chips are cheaper than broccoli I urge you to look again. One can provide vital nutrients and make you feel satisfied while the other is just empty calories that will leave you feeling hungry in an hour.

The bottom line is eating for less doesn’t mean eating less. With some careful planning you can fill your grocery cart with nutritious foods without breaking your budget.

For more information on our Frugal Sale happening right now CLICK HERE.

0 Responses

  1. I love this article. I’ve been trying to make a master shopping list for years because I do plan my menus out every week (sometimes, in ambitious years, months in advance) and it does help with shopping and saving money. I, too, pick up beans, brown and wild rice, eggs and basic foodstuffs while looking for great bargains on meat and chicken. I utilize my farmer’s market and get to know them so they know me, too! This has helped me keep my expenses down and make wonderful food for my family. I’ve also looked into cooking Asian and Indian food that is somewhat exotic but also more vegetarian-based which helps so much more.

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