As I was grocery shopping the other day I was surprised at how expensive some of the produce is getting. One of my favorite fruits – blueberries – cost nearly $4.00. On top of that, the peppers I like to munch on (and dip in salsa and hummus) had gone up in price.
Because I value my health, I really try to take good care of myself and part of that is feeding my body with nutritious foods. At the same time, I realize that I can’t afford to spend a whole paycheck at the grocery store. So what can I do to maximize my money and the store while also making sure I get the nutrients my body needs?
Go local.
If you are lucky enough to have a farmers’ market nearby, buy produce in bulk. You can often do some negotiating to get the best price and you’ll get the freshest fruits because they didn’t have to travel very far to get to you. To see a list of in season produce (i.e. the foods that will cost you less money), visit about.com.
Give fruits and veggies the “cold shoulder”.
No, I don’t mean ignore them! If your favorite fresh fruits and veggies are too pricey and out-of-season, push your cart on down to the frozen food section. Produce that is frozen after harvesting contains more nutrients than their fresh versions and often costs less and lasts longer. So if you don’t have a local farmers’ market year round, stock up on your frozen favorites to stretch your budget.
Play favorites.
Talk with your family and decide which snack or treat is your favorite. Try limiting yourselves to purchasing only the family favorite. By reducing the amount of junk food in your cart, you may just find that you can afford to splurge on healthier foods. Also, if you have been thinking about giving up soda, now would be the time to do so! Think about this: if the average family buys one 12-pack of soda every week, by giving it up they could save over $200 a year!
Get your hands dirty.
Herbs are a great way to add flavor to any dish without adding calories. You can often grow a few of your own with very little space and time. Now that the weather is warming up and the sun is shining, it’s the perfect time to plant the seeds. Those fresh herbs you grow will not only taste wonderful but will keep more money in your pockets at the grocery store. Not sure how to start growing your own herbs? Check out herbgardening.com for some great pointers!
Hopefully you can try some of these ideas if you haven’t already! Do you have any other tips for eating healthy while sticking to a budget? Please share by leaving a comment below!
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