“If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.”
- Common Sense
For someone who is continually looking for new ways to be healthy, grocery shopping and eating at home can be taxing. It’s important to find tips and tricks to help save money while being healthy at the same time.
These are 10 tips & tricks I use to stay on track with my health goals without breaking the bank:
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- Buy in Bulk: Places like Costco & Sam’s Club are a great way to save money by buying in bulk. Make sure to check expiration dates and decide if you can finish or freeze the food so it doesn’t go to waste. Savings average 31% for those who shop there regularly!
- Know What’s in Season: Fruits and veggies are a staple in any healthy diet. It’s important to know what fruits and vegetables are in seasons. Prices vary drastically depending on when you buy. A carton of strawberries can average $1 during prime season but can get up to $3 or $4 during off-seasons. This is a great chart to evaluate what’s in season during different months.
- Shop Around: When I went shopping on Sunday, I went to Bashas, Sprouts Farmer’s Market and Fry’s. Each of the stores specialize in certain groceries. Take a trip to your local stores (Walmart, Target, Safeway, etc.) and evaluate what stores have the best deals for different grocery needs.
- Get Generic: Of course there are exceptions, but you can usually get away with buying the generic option for different canned and boxed goods. This can save a couple dollars on one item alone. A can of generic black beans cost only $1 whereas higher end options can cost up to $2 or $3 dollars. Its the little things that make a difference!
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Use Your Resources: The Internet has an unlimited amount of information on how to shop on a budget and also eat healthy. For me, Pinterest is a great resource. My Skinny Eating board is an outlet to post healthy and budget friendly tips, while providing a great source of motivation when I’m getting down on myself. - Cook Serving-Sized Portions: When you cook and make dishes by serving size, it’s easy to reheat and make sure that nothing goes to waste. Portion size meals also make it easy to monitor your caloric intake. These SkinnyTaste Lasagna Rolls are a great example of portion sizing (and they’re also really yummy!)
- Freeze Away: Freezing foods can provide a number of benefits. In order to eat healthy year-around, try freezing portion sized baggies of smoothie ingredients to make your morning cleanse smoothie quick and easy! It’s also a great way to keep foods fresh longer. When you buy bulk, it might be hard to finish it all, so freezing provides a great way to keep it fresh.
- Plan Ahead: Plan out your meals so you can make your ingredients work for you. Find multiple uses for the ingredients you buy that week. Try to do the majority of your bulk shopping at once to avoid overbuying.
- Buy Online: Health supplements can get pricy, but buying online can make it easier to stay healthy without the financial burden. It allows you to buy in bulk and directly from suppliers, lowering prices. Vitamin World is a great resource for finding what you need online.
- Mix It Up: One of the biggest hurdles I personally face when I eat healthy at home on a daily basis is the monotony it causes. One way to prevent this is by treating yourself to a weekly splurge. Try buying a new cereal, dip or treat that you don’t normally buy. (Just don’t go overboard!)
- Know When to Shop: It’s a proven fact that Wednesday is the best day to grocery shop. Avoid weekends and prime hours (11-2 and 5-7) when the store is likely to be packed. Make sure you can take your time and get the best produce for the best price!
What are some ways that you eat and shop skinny on a budget?
~ Miss Soucie