Learn how to grocery shop for taste-good, feel-good food on a budget.
Eating healthy can get expensive. Between the organic veggies, non-GMO fruits, dairy-free milks, and nutritious snacks, it can feel nearly impossible to eat well on a budget. And then there's the eating out—there are so many up-charges for healthy alternatives! It's almost as if the health world is punishing you and your wallet for wanting to make wholesome choices.
The health world is not against you, however. Here are a few ways to grocery shop for taste-good, feel-good food on a budget.
Before heading out to the grocery store, think through your meals for the week. Open up your fridge and pantry to see what you already have and consider incorporating these foods into the week's meals. If you have everything you need at home when you start making dinner, you won't feel inclined to throw in the towel and order out. Also, planning prompts you to think more concisely about the food in your cart. You won't overstock on perishable foods if you know what you will use for the week.
Leftovers make the best lunches! You can save a lot of money and time re-heating last night's dinner instead of running out for a bite to eat. You can package the meal in a different form if you don't want a repeat of dinner. Toss your meat and veggies into a gluten-free wrap, salad, or stir-fry. Use a different sauce or dressing and you can quickly create a whole new meal!
If something you like is on sale, pick up a few. You will end up eating it anyways, so you might as well stock up and save money. This usually goes for the foods that last. Make sure you will eat them fast enough if the foods have an expiration date.
Ah, the benefits of a Costco membership. You inevitably spend more money up front than you would on your weekly shop, but you will have stocked up on foods at much lower prices. If you grab the big bag of spinach and don't eat it fast enough, you will end up wasting more money than saving. Purchase the non-perishable foods. You can also freeze your chicken, ground turkey, and salmon so you can have meat for the month.
Think twice before impulse buying those potato chips. Is it on the list? Do you need it or are you just hungry-shopping? It helps to start in the produce section of the store first and then make your way around the outer edges. By the time you get to the inner aisles, you hopefully will have already placed the healthier options in your cart and won't give into your processed-food cravings. Also, eat before you go out. That will help you stay strong and refrain from impulse buying.