With rising prices and falling budgets, it’s challenging to bring
home ingredients for balanced meals. But eating right doesn’t have
to break the budget! Renee Greene, Wellness Dietitian at CVMC’s
Health First Center says that eating healthy while saving money can be
done in three easy steps: plan, purchase and prepare.
Step 1: Plan- Decide on meals before you shop. Plan meals for the week
using local grocery ads. Include fresh produce, lean proteins, whole grains,
and low fat dairy. Then check your kitchen inventory and comprise a list
before going to the store. But be sure to avoid shopping hungry and stick
to the list! Avoid buying sweets or sugary beverages to save money and
be healthy.
Step 2: Purchase- Shop to get the most value for your money. Local, seasonal
fruits and vegetables are at peak flavor and are sold at a lower price.
So, shop seasonally. Also, buy in bulk, in-store brands, and compare unit
prices to save additional dollars. Buy most foods from the perimeter of
the store to fill your cart with fresh, whole foods.
Step 3: Prepare- Make cost-cutting meals. Eating out tends to cost more
and usually leads to eating larger portions, so cook more often at home.
Save time and money by using leftovers for another meal, or cook large
batches and freeze for later. Furthermore, use a slow cooker to stretch
ingredients and tenderize less expensive but tougher cuts of meat.
Interested in learning more helpful tips on how to eat healthy and shop
on a budget?
CVCC and CVMC are teaming up to equip you with the knowledge and skills
to be successful at planning and eating healthy. You will have the opportunity
to attend five dynamic classes lead by Renee Greene, a registered and
licensed wellness dietitian. Learn how to shop and cook on a budget, make
healthy choices when snacking and dining out, and how to achieve a healthy
weight while preventing disease. You will receive helpful handouts, learn
how to prepare healthy meals and snacks, as well as sample nutritious
foods. Finally, get a grocery store tour where you’ll put your knowledge
into practice! Sign up for one class or all five, whatever fits into your
lifestyle.