Grocery shopping can be such a pain. We have more choices than ever before. My friend told me she was “overwhelmed” by the eggs at a recent shopping trip – eggs! Evidently, there are too many varieties (whole grain, omega-3, cage-free, etc.).
We’d also like to keep food costs down, which is not always easy, but increasingly important in this economy. But I worry that the economic recession is going to drive well-meaning people into a nutrition recession, too. Don’t let this happen to you. It is possible to save money on your grocery bill without sacrificing nutrition and I’m going to tell you how in this video.
Put fresh produce first. In-season fruits and vegetables are inexpensive and they have the best nutrition for the calories. Think of all the different ways you can enjoy the bounty of the season. Summer vegetable soup (corn, zucchini, onion, tomatoes, black beans, and vegetable stock) or try grilled peaches for a healthy dessert. Ice cream novelties are $1 a piece, but you can get fresh fruit for less than 20 cents – now, which is the bargain?- Save money on protein purchases. Canned tuna is a lean, healthy protein you can often find on sale. Use tuna in lunch sandwiches or salads. Beans are a very inexpensive food and they are a great source of protein. I buy black beans, chick peas (garbanzo), kidney beans, and white beans at every trip. I keep rinsed beans in the fridge for salad and wrap toppers. I also look for frozen seafood like shrimp and salmon fillets. You can stretch out your protein by making it the “side dish” in a meal – salad toppers or mixed in with rice and veggies.
- Buy in bulk. If there is a special deal on large portions of healthy foods, stock up! For example, a sale on grape tomatoes can have you putting garden salad starters and fresh tomato basil pasta dinners on the menu. Grape tomatoes also make a great snack. So don’t hesitate to take advantage of the larger portions of healthy foods. Just make sure you don’t waste it.
What money-saving grocery shopping tips work for you?