Tips on Healthy, Budget Friendly Grocery Shopping
Eating well does not always mean spending more. There are numerous ways to get healthy foods into your diet and stay within your budget.
Many nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables legumes and whole grains, cost less than things like chips, chocolate, meat and pop. In fact, it’s healthier and cheaper to build your main meal from grains and legumes instead of meat. Try these tips to get the most from your grocery budget.
· Check out to upcoming sales online:
o www.loblaws.ca
o www. pricechopper.ca
o www.metro.ca
· Grains, beans & spices can be bought in bulk very inexpensively and there are a variety of ways to enjoy them.
· Plan your meals around what’s ripe and in season. Fruits and vegetables that are grown locally and in season are usually fresher and less expensive.
· Buying organic fruits & vegetables isn’t always necessary-just ensure you wash them thoroughly.
· Shop on the outside edges of your grocery store and skip the middle aisles. These usually contain the processed foods.
· Skip prepared foods, frozen meals and/or vegetables in sauces. These foods are usually high in salt, sugar and preservatives, which can contribute to high blood pressure, weight gain and allergic reactions.
· Avoid buying pre-cut raw vegetables. Prices are higher for pre-cuts. Instead, buy them whole and cut them at home.
· Make more soups, curries and stews. They can last in your fridge for days and most soups freeze well for weeks.
· Freeze fruits. Fruit have thicker cell walls and nutrients are not lost when these are frozen so buy cheaper fruits in the Spring & Summer and freeze them!
Nutrient Power Foods to Include in Your Grocery List
Do the items on your grocery list serve double duty in nutrients? Consider including these nutrient rich items that are full of vitamins, and antioxidants to your list.