“Eating healthy is so expensive!” Many of us have heard or said these words at some point. It’s a common phrase, but if you do a little digging, you’ll find that this assumption is easily discredited.
Trendy health food stores seem to be popping up on every corner. They offer great wholesome foods, but often these foods come with a steep price tag. Fortunately, you don’t have to stick to these expensive organic and health food items to live well. By planning ahead and choosing wisely at the market, eating healthy on a budget is much easier than it seems. Try some of these tips from the USDA to get started:
Shop Smart
Just because your neighborhood grocery store doesn’t offer all organic produce doesn’t mean it’s not a great place to get healthy food. Choose mostly produce, whole grains, and lean proteins. Do your research to compare prices of grocers in your area.
Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach
This is a simple concept – when your stomach is growling, you’re more likely to add more to your cart. And let’s face it, those additions are probably not healthy ones.
Read the Sales Circular
This is a great way to find healthy seasonal goods at great deals. Stock up on some of the items below!
Clean Out Your Pantry
…or your freezer or refrigerator. Use the What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl to search recipes by ingredient. No trip to the store required!
Check Out Farmers’ Markets
To get local produce and goods at seasonal prices, check the National Farmers Market Directory for your local market.
Plan Your Meals!
This is arguably one of the best tips for eating well on a budget. Plan your meals and prep ahead of time so that a healthy dinner can be heated and served in a pinch. Use the guides available for download at choosemyplate.gov.
Eating well can certainly take effort, but by utilizing a few helpful tools, this can more easily be achieved. Planning your meals and using shopping lists can save both time and money for your family, and shopping smart in the grocery store is key! You can also get your family involved with meal planning and cooking and enjoy teachable moments and family fun!
Following the above tips can help you keep more of your money where it belongs – with you. Want an easy way to earn money on things you need to buy anyway? Make your purchases with our Founder’s Rewards Card. This credit card lets you earn 2%* or 1.5% cash rewards, plus it doesn’t have an annual fee. Apply now for your Founder’s Rewards Card.
*You can earn 1.5% cash rewards on purchases. You can earn 2% cash rewards on purchases if you maintain a PSECU checking account and qualifying monthly direct deposit(s) of at least $500. See the Visa® Founder’s Card and Visa® Alumni Rewards Card Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for full details.