Maintaining both a healthy, nutritious diet and a frugal lifestyle is no easy task. Nutrient-rich foods with high vitamin and mineral contents tend to be pricier than unhealthier, processed and prepared alternatives. Using smart shopping strategies and other money-saving techniques can help reduce total food bills without sacrificing good health.
Benefits
Following a frugal diet offers benefits across more spheres than just the financial. If the diet is healthy and balanced, MyPyramid maintains that it can help reduce the risks of bone loss, kidney stones, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Additionally, selecting on-sale and in-season foods can help naturally include variety in any diet, boosting total vitamin and nutrient intake.
Foods
The most affordable foods per serving are fresh, whole and natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, lean meats and other proteins. Although the costs of processed foods and some restaurant meals seem low, the cost breakdown of making the same meals from fresh ingredients is lower and the health benefits are greater.
Shopping
Using a grocery list is a simple and common tactic that saves lots of money at the grocery store. Stick to list items, purchase only what you need for the meals you have already scheduled and avoid impulse buys. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System also recommends shopping when you have plenty of time to spare so that it's possible to check out current sales as well as compare prices across brands, per weight unit and between fresh, dried and frozen items.
Strategies
Cooking is one strategy that Help Guide champions for saving money and eating healthier. When you cook, you have total control over what goes into each meal as well as how much you eat. Save more cash by joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) group, which Cooking Light magazine recommends as a cheaper and fresher alternative to buying grocery store produce. Clipping coupons is another helpful strategy that makes a big cost difference over time. Search for coupons online and in grocery store publications, as well as in newspaper inserts and on packaged products.
Considerations
Prioritizing frugality over health doesn't always yield a balanced diet. Sacrificing nutrition and leaving certain food groups out of daily eating plans because they cost more may lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health complications. Consequently, it's always advisable to talk with a physician or other health-care professional before changing your normal diet or starting a new plan. Finally, be aware that saving money on food often involves more hands-on planning and preparation time, so it may be necessary to clear up scheduling space as a trade-off to spending less money.
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