Keeping Your Diet Healthy and Inexpensive 15.01.2016

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You may think that in order to nourish your body with nutritious foods, you need to shell out big bucks. With all of the claims about organic this, gluten-free that, and “eating clean,” it can get downright confusing in the grocery store! So take a cue from our tips, and your waistline and wallet will thank you.

Shop the Aisles Last

When it comes to getting everything on your shopping list, try going around the perimeter of the grocery store first. This is where all of the fresh produce, lean meats, and nourishing dairy products are. Focusing on these outer sections of the store will keep your head in the game. We all know that going down the snack aisle can be bad news for our diets!

Make a Game Plan

A good idea is to plan out your meals for the entire week. Try doing this on a leisurely Sunday afternoon. When you have a clear idea of what your meals are going to look like, you can hit the supermarket with swiftness and agility. No rogue potato chips will get in your cart!

Keep it Simple

You know the saying: “keep it simple, stupid.” Well, this could not be more true than in terms of nutrition. All it takes are some basic recipes to really build up an arsenal of delicious meals throughout the week. A good rule of thumb is to focus your meals on fruits and vegetables. Meats, dairy, and grains should play a supporting role; not take center stage.

Choose the Bare Necessities

Newsflash: you don’t need that trendy green juice or those gluten-free crackers. Sticking to the essentials is key. Think about it; people in the past got their nutrition without purchasing those fancy-pants gourmet products. If you want to save some extra money, go for some traditional favorites, such as oatmeal, fruits and veggies, eggs, and nuts.

Give Leftovers Some Love

You would be amazed at how much money you can save by simply making the most of your food. When you make a meal, save any leftover scraps for the next day. If you don’t have enough for another full meal, try combining the leftovers with new ingredients. Who knows? You may end up creating a new favorite dish!

Cut Coupons

You may associate coupon-clipping with stay-at-home moms, but they’ve got the right idea! Snipping coupons from newspapers (or even finding coupons online) can be an excellent way to slash your grocery bill.

Join the Club

Along the same lines, becoming a member at your favorite grocery store can really help you rack up the savings. Many supermarkets offer loyalty cards to customers and may even send out members-only discounts.