![]() ![]() In addition, don’t go to the grocery store hungry! You will likely make impulse purchases that will probably be less healthy and may end up going to waste. To stay savvy and under budget at the supermarket: Consider making a running list of staple foods and training your family to note when something runs out. Don’t forget to check to see if you already have what you need - perhaps in the back of your pantry or freezer. Go through your meals one by one and write down needed ingredients. Next, turn that meal list into a grocery list. The MyPlate site even allows you to find recipes categorized by cost, and it includes over 800 recipes that can be made with ingredients available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Mayo Clinic and MyPlate Kitchen both offer many recipe ideas. People tend to be creatures of habit and can get stuck in a dinner rut, so consider including some new quick recipe ideas. Instead of fresh salmon, try canned or pouched salmon or tuna. Instead of fresh vegetables, go with frozen or low-sodium canned options. See what’s on sale for the week - it might inspire an affordable meal idea. For example, cook a larger amount of chicken breast than needed for a chicken salad wrap for one meal, then use it to top a bed of leafy greens for a second meal and add it to a stir-fry for a third meal. If your family includes someone who doesn’t enjoy repeat meals, think about ways to use already cooked food in different ways. Try to include meals that can stretch more expensive food items (such as meats) or mix in lower priced options such as beans to help expand the volume of protein or even replace meats to help further savings. Planning ahead will not only reduce food waste but also help prevent you from purchasing last-minute and less healthy meals at restaurants or gas station convenience stores. It’s not always an easy habit to start, but planning ahead will save you time and money over the long term. To start, remember the United States Department of Agriculture’s three P’s: plan, purchase and prepare. Many people can find it overwhelming even to find the time and energy to create a suitable grocery list.īut making great meals on a budget is doable, and once you get into the swing of it, you might even find - as do many people I advise - that it saves you time during your busy week. If you often think that consistently eating healthy, affordable, home-cooked meals is impossible, you’re not alone. ![]()
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