Grocery Shopping on a Budget
By Mindy Hahn, LDN on December 15th, 2008

In today’s uncertain economy many people are looking for ways to stretch their dollar. Here are several ways to stretch that dollar a little further while still eating healthy.

Shop Around

Grocery outlets are a wonderful place to do your grocery shopping when you’re on a budget. Outlet stores have great prices, offering canned goods at a fraction of the cost.

Meat and Poultry

Many stores will mark down the price of meat when it’s about to expire. Stock up and freeze for future meals.
Consider buying inexpensive tougher cuts of meats. These cuts make delicious stews and braised dishes.
Larger packs of meat are less expensive than smaller packages, freeze what you don’t need to use later.
Chicken thighs are less expensive than chicken breasts and are more flavorful.
Plain chicken breasts cost less than pre-marinated or seasoned chicken breasts.
Frozen chicken is often less expensive than fresh.
When there are specials on whole chickens freeze for later use. Simply roast and freeze the leftover meat for future meals.

Going Meatless

Legume based dishes such as chili or bean soups are a great way to save $$ while gaining the cholesterol lowering benefits of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Dried beans cost less than canned and have less sodium.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh produce isn’t healthier than frozen if it spoils before you get to it. Berries in particular are best bought frozen.
Bagged produce such as apples, pears and oranges are a savings but not if they spoil before you use them. Produce extenders such as Fridge Friend absorb the ethylene gas that ripens fruit, allowing your produce to last longer.
Pre-cut fruits and veggies are a time saver but cost more. Save money buy peeling and cutting your own carrots and fruit.

Shop the Sales

Try different brands of breads and cereals if they are on sale. Day old bread can be frozen, if tortilla wraps are less expensive than bread try substituting those for your sandwiches that week. Stock up on items that are deeply discounted such as canned goods.

Avoid Processed Foods

Processed snack foods and frozen meals not only contain more fat and sodium than fresh food, they are more expensive! The money saved can go into fresh produce. For example veggies dipped into hummus are better than snacking on chips with little nutrition.