" Eating Healthy on a Budget"

When eating healthy on a budget;  your long-run savings will be realized as well as a more vitalized you.  Don't worry if you feel you can not eat healthy on a budget.  A little careful planning and know how will go a long way...

When you frequently eat at restaurants, your food bill will soar since even a $5 "value meal" will account for more than $1,200 per year?

Create a Budget

You will want to…

•    Determine a monthly amount to spend on meal preparation
•     Divide this amount by four to arrive at a weekly amount
•    Plan healthy meals
•    Shop according to your plan

Include money for non-meal items such as spice ingredients, storage bags, etc. Collect coupons that will only make the foods you always buy less expensive.

Do not switch to different foods just for a discount.  Always use the foods on hand first before moving on to fresher samples.  Check the local newspaper or store fliers for weekly specials.  Consider leftovers in meal planning for additional savings.

Shop the Store Perimeter - This is where you will find the essentials for eating healthy on a budget such as dairy, meats and produce. Locate the unit price per food and use this as a comparison for selecting different brands. Always select the less expensive choice.  This includes selecting generic choices when possible.

Keep this in mind that shelf marketing puts inexpensive items on the bottom with expensive ones at eye-level. Always look for "cash register" mistakes so you can maximize your shopping dollars.

Buy Food the Inexpensive Way when Eating Healthy on a Budget

Follow these suggestions when making food purchases:

  • Buy onions, potatoes, apples, grapefruit and other such items by the bag instead of the piece.
  • Buy produce that is in season - not only for the best price, but flavor as well. Compare with frozen prices. Sometimes frozen are cheaper but just as nutritious.
  • Buy canned goods packed in juice with low sodium.
  • Do NOT buy washed and bagged lettuce, carrots and cabbage - it is more expensive and less quantity.
  • Choose plain brown rice as well as whole wheat tortillas or even English muffins - these all contain less than 4 grams of fat per 100 calories.
  • Buy oatmeal. It is extremely nutritious and can always be enhanced with bananas, brown sugar and more.
  • Buy grains and cereals in bulk without fancy packaging.
  • Avoid ready-to-cook meats - ones that are boneless, marinated, skinless or otherwise seasoned.
  •   Buy 90 percent lean meat.
  • Although whole wheat pasta is healthier, it is more expensive. Make this choice carefully.
  • Use of canned fish and chicken for salads and sandwiches.
  • Try spaghetti with just sauce, chili, stews and soups to stretch your food dollars.

You can also extend your weekly food dollars by planning two or more meatless meals while eating healthy on a budget...


Excerpt from eBook, “30 Days to Healthy Eating Habits”

Healthy Eating on a Budget

It is possible to eat healthy while on a budget.  You just have to be smart about how you shop.  You have to learn the ploys the grocery stores throw in front of your face.  Their bottom line is to get you to buy as much stuff as you can.  They do not care if you are trying to eat healthier or are on a budget.

All they want is to get you to buy more and they will try any tricks of the trade they can to bring that about.  If you approach the grocery store with your list in hand, aware of their tactics and avoiding them, you should do just fine.

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