Budget Friendly Grocery Shopping Tips For Healthy Eating

Eating healthy can be expensive, but when you follow the tips listed below, you can eat healthy without breaking the bank. Here’s how to cut down on spending before and during your next trip to the supermarket:

Make A List - Before you hit the supermarket, plan the meals you will be making for the next two or three days or even the next week so you can pick up all the ingredients you will need and take advantage of sales.

Buy In Bulk - When you buy in bulk, you may buy more but you will ultimately pay less per pound. If you are buying fresh foods in bulk, make sure you plan to eat them before they spoil or freeze what you can’t use immediately to use later.

Go For Beans - It doesn't get any cheaper or healthier than whole, dried beans or other legumes like lentils and chickpeas. You can usually buy a 1-pound bag for less than two dollars. Beans can be used in soups, salads, and chilis, or be served as a side dish and cooked beans freeze really well.

Shop Your Local Farmers’ Market - The foods at a farmers’ market are typically fresher than at the supermarket and often cost less in season. If you are on a tight budget, wait until the late afternoon to shop the farmers’ market because you are likely to get better bargains since many vendors prefer not to truck their produce back to the farm.

Prepare Simple Meals And Serve Twice - One of the best ways to save money is to keep your meals easy. Serve grilled, broiled or baked meat, poultry or seafood as the main dish with a steamed vegetable and a side salad and use the leftovers for lunch or dinner the following day.

Along with following the tips listed above, you should also familiarize yourself with your weekly grocery store circulars to see what’s on sale and always take advantage of coupons. If you spend a little time each a week planning and clipping money saving coupons (usually found in Sunday newspapers) you will be surprised at how much you can save and still eat healthy and until next time, stay happy, healthy and beautiful!