by Joanna Dolgoff, M.D. pediatrician and child obesity specialist
Increasing food prices have more and more shoppers looking for ways to save money at the grocery store without sacrificing nutrition. For those of you who fall into this category, you’ll be happy to know that eating healthier foods can actually save you money. Savings can come from reducing portion sizes and from buying fewer of the high-calorie foods that tend to increase the amount spent at the grocery store. People tend to spend a lot on those "extras" -- foods that add calories but little nutritional value, like sodas, bakery items, and chips.
There’s no magic formula to buying or cooking healthy foods on a budget. It takes a little planning and creativity. But if think of the rewards— better health and more money—you’ll find it’s worth the effort. After all, health is wealth! Here are few ideas that will save you a little green (while also being green lights themselves):
- Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper: With the advent of Sam's Club and Costco, you can save big time because the discount for bulk items beats the cost of purchasing individual products. You can either become a member yourself and pay the annual associated fees or you can ask a friend who has a membership to add you to their account. You will have the same benefits for less overhead.
- Buy generic: Generic brands can provide a great savings! Stores deliberately place the highest-priced brand-name items at eye level, so be sure to literally look high and low for cheaper store brand labels.
- Go frozen or canned: Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are healthy choices with a long shelf life. Skip ones packed in sauces and sugary syrups and look for low-salt options.
- Buy sale items: Only if you know what to do with the food! Take advantage of specials on staple—broth, soups, pasta, rice, canned veggies, even bread and meat. Many of these items have a long shelf life or can be frozen for short periods of time.
- Buy produce in season: Check the food section in your newspaper to find the best buys for the week, based on fresh produce in season. Food in season is usually priced to sell. During the summer months, corn on the cob can cost as little as 10 cents an ear; at other times of the year, it may cost 10 times as much. Also, shop your local farmers' market for great deals on local produce; the prices won't include shipping costs.
2 Comments on Healthy Food For Less: So Cheap, You’d Think It’s Fast Food, last added: 7/27/2011
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Nice tips. I've been aware that healthier foods do cost more and that is something that bugs me. New follower here from I heart Blogging Hop. I hope you will take a moment to stop by my blog and check out my kind of fashion (hair jewelry). I'm not just trying to gain followers with hopping, I'm trying to spread the word about a product I love. Here's my url http://talesfrommyjournal.blogspot.com I also have a facebook pagewhich is www.facebook.com/DeniseMartin.LillaRose I hope you can stop by there as well. It's the fastest way to hear about specials. Let me know if you have a facebook page too so I can return the favor.
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