What’s the Best Way to Eat Healthy On a Budget?

There are many ways to save money on your grocery bill and also eat healthier. Here are five budget-friendly shopping tips: 

Plan to Save Your Pennies: Meal planning and weight management go hand in hand, but meal planning can also help you save your hard-earned paycheck. Planning meals helps as you compile your grocery list and makes shopping more efficient. Without a plan, you’re more likely to purchase extra items or not enough – and then takeout becomes more tempting. Pro tip: Don’t shop on an empty stomach – hitting the store while hungry will push you over your budget faster than you can say “junk food.” 

Buy Whole Foods: It’s no secret that some foods are less expensive in a less processed form. For example, a block of cheese is cheaper than shredded cheese, and a canister of oats is less expensive than a box of instant oatmeal packets. Of course conveniently cut up fruit and portioned yogurt saves you time, but this is an area that can save you some extra dough. And speaking of dough – when selecting grains, like bread, choose the whole-wheat options, rather than their white counterparts. This small swap will provide you a healthier nutritional profile without spending more. 

Excerpted from the Des Moines Register

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