Dieting doesn't have to kill your budget. You can find healthy foods in any price range. To become a savvy, budget-friendly dieter, look for seasonal items, frozen products, sale items and large quantities when you're making your grocery list.
Seasonal Items
Look for seasonal items at the supermarket or farmers market. These items are good for a budget-friendly diet because they are typically lower in price and high in health benefits. When looking to follow a healthy diet, eating primarily plant foods can help you cut down on calories and meet your serving requirements of fruits and vegetables. Buy different varieties and colors when you can. Experiment by adding a seasonal fruit or vegetable to one of your old recipes for a healthy twist. Don't overspend and only buy what you know you can eat in about a week.
Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables are another steal. Often lower in price, you can store them longer than their fresh counterparts. Frozen fruits and vegetables have about the same nutritional value as the fresh versions. You can stock up on frozen products and store them in your freezer until you're ready to use them. You can quickly add frozen fruits and vegetables to a meal for a nutrient and fiber boost.
Sale Items
If you live near several grocery stores browse through the ads each week. Shop at several different stores to find the items you want, hopefully on sale. Buying sale items can help you cut down on your grocery bill by a few dollars each week. Instead of buying something from one store at full price, look to see if it's on sale at another store. Planning meals and making lists ahead of time will make this process much simpler. Use caution when looking through the sale ads. Try to look for sale items that are typically found on the perimeter of the store -- produce, deli, meat and dairy. Many of the items in these sections are healthier for you than those your find in the interior aisles of the store. Avoid buying overly processed sale items, like frozen dinners or potato chips.
Cheaper Cuts of Meat
Meat, poultry and fish can all get expensive. Think about what you're using it for before you buy it. For example, if you want fish for sandwiches, buy canned tuna. When shopping for meat, look for cheaper cuts. Ground beef is less expensive than buying a steak. Chuck eye is more budget-friendly than rib eye steak and often equally as tender. For a healthy diet, diversify your protein options. Try to incorporate chicken and fish if you eat mostly red meat. When buying meat, try to find pieces that have little visible fat. By doing this you'll be able to cut down on your saturated fat intake. Shop around and ask your local butchers what they recommend for your budget.
Buying and Cooking in Bulk
For healthy foods on a budget, you'll often want to stay away from bulk foods. However, there are a few things you can buy in bulk or in large quantities when on sale. Pasta, canned or dry beans, rice and oatmeal can all be bought in larger quantities. When cooking you can keep the "bulk" concept in mind. When making chili or soup consider doubling your recipe, packing it up in serving-size containers, and freezing. When you're ready to eat it, you can pull out a single serving to thaw for the day. Many recipes freeze and thaw well.
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