Friday, May 6, 2011

5 Strategies to Cut Healthy Food Costs

Have you noticed prices have jumped up since last year?

Not only is how milk and bread gas more expensive, but food prices are steadily on the rise. Instead of paying $2 or $3 for a gallon of milk, expect to pay up to $5 for some brands.

There are ways to still eat healthy while on a budget. Here are my top 5 ways to outsmart the rising cost of food.

1. Shop In-Season

Fresh produce is cheapest when in-season since larger quantities can be produced. An added bonus is that in-season produce tends to have more flavor.

2. Know Before You Go

Make a list, and decide on what you will purchase before you head out to the grocery store. This will prevent you from buying last minute purchases that you may not really need. This technique will also help to shrink your waistline. When you see that chocolate dessert at the end of the aisle, you will be less likely to buy it because it's not on the list.

3. Buy the Basics

  • Beans
  • Legumes
  • Eggs
  • Brown Rice
  • Whole Wheat Pasta
  • All Natural Peanut Butter
  • Frozen Vegetables and Fruits

These are just a few of the low cost items at the store. When you stick to whole, simple foods you can shrink your food cost and improve your nutrition.

4. Cook at Home More

cooking___.jpgBe prepared to make some meals at home. Steer clear of ready-prepared items which can cost up to five times more than the simple raw ingredients. Do the work yourself, and your wallet will thank you.

Eating at home instead of grabbing fast food items will also help you to cut your calorie intake and improve your health. Processed foods are higher in sodium, and artificial ingredients like most preservatives.

5. Clip Coupons

Don't be afraid to look over the store ads and newspapers, or check online for coupons at your local store. An extra five minutes of coupon clipping could save you $10 at the grocery store. That could add up to an extra $40 per month!

Healthy food is not too expensive even when food cost is on the rise. Cheaper healthy eating just requires some planning ahead.

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