Is the high cost of food getting you down? Do you think trimming your food budget means an expanding waistline? My weight loss clinic is filled with patients who want to eat healthy, but believe it's just too expensive. Do you feel the same way?
Food prices continue to rise - everything from produce to pantry items. Plus, with such busy schedules, many of us look for "convenience" when food shopping, which adds up to a lot of extra money.
A few pointers before you even get to the store:
Avoid shopping on an empty stomach! Go after a meal, or have a snack - to help resist temptation.
Make a list and stick to it. That helps to avoid impulse buying.
Shop once a week and pre-plan your meals.
Use coupons for foods you regularly use.
Here are 10 tips to trim your waistline on a slim budget:
1. Drink tap water.No bottled water, or other low-calorie drinks. Good for your wallet and the environment. If you have concerns about your tap water, get it tested, and add a filter to the tap, or a pitcher if needed.
2. Shop seasonally and locally. If it's local, and in-season, the shipping costs are largely reduced, with the savings passed on to you.
3. Look for frozen foods (fruits, veggies, poultry, fish) without any added sauces. The same nutritional quality as fresh products.
4. Make your own "single-serving" snacks. Portion control is great, but you don't need to pay more for it. Buy some snack size, re-sealable plastic bags, and be creative. From cereal, to fruit, to chips, you produce a double duty snack - calorie and cost controlled.
5. Avoid the exotic. Stick with standard colors of fruits and vegetables. Green peppers don't seem as fancy as yellow or orange, but are a fraction of the cost.
6. Cut up your own produce. The shelves are filled with pre-cut vegetables and fruits. Don't waste money for this "convenience" - which only saves a minute or two at home.
7. Look for sale items - but read the label first! A variety of foods are in the "sale" sections - and can include fresh meats and poultry, dairy products, and produce. Check the expiration dates - often the markdowns occur with a date that's closing in to "use by" or "sell by". it's a great savings if you can use the food in the right time frame. Think ahead.
8. Buy store brands. These are often produced by the "name brand" companies.
9. Be flexible with "in-store" specials. Planning a fish dinner, but chicken breasts are a great buy? Change your menu!
10. Purchase foods in larger bags from your local supermarket, or even the "big box" stores like Sam's Club and Costco. Go in with a friend or two, to save money and reduce spoilage. You might not need 18 pears, but 6 or 9 would be perfect. The bag of small apples might not look at gorgeous as the giant single fruits priced per pound, but the nutrition content is the same.
One BIG money waster: Driving from store to store for all the "best" bargains. You'll spend extra gas money, for small savings, and lose the frequent shopper advantages. Pick one major market, and become a mindful shopper there. Plus, when you get a "store card', you'll get coupons for frequently purchased foods, and other money-saving perks for your loyalty.
What are some of your money-saving diet tips? We need all the help we can get!!
12 years ago
