Eating healthy and sticking to your budget is possible! It all starts with a plan. Set your family up for success by planning meals and snacks to stay on track with your nutrition goals, your budget and your schedule. Here are 3 tips for making small changes that add up to big savings:
1. Make a list and stick to it.
Think about what your family has coming up over the next week. Do you need quick snacks, batch cooked meals, grab-n-go breakfasts, or something for a slow cooker? Next check what you have on hand. Check the refrigerator, freezer, and cupboard for foods that need to be used up. Finally make your list. For easy shopping, list all of your items in order of the store layout. For example, all fresh meats should be grouped together on your list.
2. Purchase whole foods and limit food products.
You can often save money if you are willing to do a little work. For example, buy a whole chicken and cut it into parts, shred or grate your own cheese, and avoid instant rice or instant oatmeal. Pre-cut produce or bagged salad mixes cost more and might not stay fresh as long as a whole piece of produce or head of lettuce. Focus on economical produce such as bananas, apples, oranges, cabbage, sweet potatoes, dark-green leafy vegetables, green peppers, and regular carrots.
3. Cook meals at home.
If you want to eat healthy and stick to a budget, the best thing you can do is cook at home as often as possible. Home cooked meals are typically healthier and less expensive than pre-packaged or restaurant meals. Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. Browse through our Healthy Recipes and set yourself up for success in the kitchen.
I encourage you to make a plan and and set your family up for success by utilizing these tips for eating healthy on a budget.
Ashley Osterman
Director of Nutrition Education
Healthy Steps Nutrition
www.growyournutritionbusiness.com
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