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While how you eat may affect your health, eating healthy can affect your wallet, and not in a way that you appreciate. The consensus is that it costs a lot more money to eat healthy, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are ways to have healthy foods in your diet and to save money in the process. Let’s look at how you can make that happen.
Play the Coupon Game
If you want to tighten your food budget and get the healthy foods that you want, coupons are a great option. Don’t be too quick to throw the weekly ads, newspaper’s grocery coupon guide, and store circulars in the trash because you may come across coupons for products that you need. You may also like the convenience of digital coupons better. Grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Kroger have digital app coupons that you can use in their stores. If comparing price is important to you, the Grocery Pal app can store your list of items and compare prices at nearby stores and show available coupon opportunities.
Opt for Frozen Fruits & Veggies
Grocery shopping isn’t complete without you fruits and veggies and buying them frozen cuts cost, while still being nutritious. You don’t have to worry about shelf life unless there’s a power outage or freezer malfunction. It also cuts preparation time in half, since frozen fruits and veggies are pre-washed and pre-cut, which means less time in the kitchen. Furthermore, some frozen fruits and veggies, particularly those containing vitamin A, retains more nutrients than fresh ones if frozen properly.
Impulse Buying Is Never A Good Idea
You will always see a product on a shelf that you want but do not need. Don’t fall into that trap. Check your pantry and fridge and make a list of the foods that you need for a week or two. You can even plan your meals for the week. More importantly, stick to that list when shopping; grab what you need and vacate the store. Additionally, if you can, leave the kids at home. They have a way of getting you to buy treats or junk food.
Buy Store Brands
Eating healthy on a budget doesn’t have to cost you taste, and passing on your favorite labels means that you can find store brand foods that are yummy and offer you savings- as much as 25% on average. The difference in taste between store-brand and name-brand versions of foods like rice, pasta, eggs, milk, frozen fruits/veggies is very minimal, and in some instances, it’s difficult to tell apart. It may be more important to focus on the nutritional value of each when making a comparison.
Get that Loyalty Card
Sticking to a certain grocery store can often come with loyalty rewards. Maximize your savings with a customer reward card for groceries that can earn you discounts. You will find that your grocery store may have special sales specifically for customer card holders.
It is possible to eat healthy on a budget. It requires planning, discipline and learning how to get it done the right way. Using coupons, buying frozen over fresh, avoiding impulsive shopping, buying store brands and making use of customer loyalty cards can help you to avoid breaking the bank while maintaining a healthy diet.
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