Does eating healthy have to be expensive? Although this idea often seems commonplace, the answer is no - you can eat healthy on a budget. As a Dietitian, I am always looking for ways to help individuals save money at the store without sacrificing the nutritional quality of the items they are buying. Check-out a few of my top money saving recommendations below.
- Buy Fresh Produce that is in Season - When produce is in season, it tends to be less expensive because it is more abundantly available in the market. In addition, when produce is harvested and made available at the peak of ripeness, it is packed full of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. I always know grapes will be delicious when I can buy them for $0.99 per pound. Similar, when you buy a watermelon for under $5 to celebrate the 4th of July you know it will be juicy and delicious. For your favorite fruits and vegetables that are out of season, consider buying them frozen, as the produce is flash-frozen once harvested to help retain it's nutrient content.
- Buy Bulk - Rather than buying individual serving size items, save money by purchasing larger containers and packaging the item yourself. For example, a 32-oz container of Greek Yogurt is going to be less expensive than buying individual 6-oz cartons. Similar, buying a large bag of pretzels will be cheaper than buying individual snack size bags. For non-perishable items, such as paper towels and toilet paper, you can save money by purchasing larger package sizes, with multiple rolls, rather than one unit at a time.
Keep two principles in mind when buying bulk:
- First - Can you reasonably consume all of the product you are purchasing before it expires? Remember, throwing away food is like throwing away money!
- Second - Do you have room to store the extra quantity you just bought? If you are living in a dorm room, a 16-count package of paper towels may pose a difficulty!
- Avoid Impulse Buys - Creating a list prior to going to the store is a great way to help avoid impulse purchases. Before going shopping, commit to yourself that you will only buy those items you listed ahead of time. Taking a few minutes to make a list in advance can also help save time, as it prevents you from having to make a return trip to the store later in the week for those items you forgot to buy!
- Use Money Saving Apps - Some of my favorites include Ibotta
, Fetch Rewards
, Checkout 51
, and Receipt Hog
. Also make sure to see if the grocery store you commonly shop at has an in-store app. I frequently shop at H-E-B and use the My H-E-B App
, which has a great coupon section that allows you to easily save money on commonly purchased items.
Check-out my blog Top 5 Pantry Staples
for additional grocery shopping recommendations, as well as a downloadable Sports Nutrition Grocery List to help plan your next trip to the store.
