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by Barb Keck
Shopping on a Shoestring
Eating properly for health on a limited budget is always
a challenge. One of the biggest money gobbling culprits is ready made processed
and packaged foods
and too many trips for fast food. Although they’re quick neither of these
ways are cost effective. When it comes to shopping on a shoestring and planning
great tasting menus at home you’ll be surprised how well you can eat
following these simple guidelines.
10 healthy ways to keep food costs within budget…
1. Make three meals a week without meat and watch your
food bill drop. You won’t even notice the meat is missing when you experiment
and combo flavorful foods for meals. It’s easier than you think. Include
other forms of protein to complete your required nutrition.
2. Cook regular rice it only takes 10 minutes longer
than Minute Rice (which actually takes 5 minutes) and it’s half the
cost. This works for many other products as well.
3. Left over rice, corn or other vegetables? Add it to tomato
soup or any other favorite soup the next day.
4. Cook (boil, bake or microwave) enough potatoes to fry or
prepare in any other favorite potato dish for your next meal.
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5. Shop from the outside aisles – this is where
most of the non-processed foods are. The inner aisles of grocery stores
are all packaged and cost more
6. When your favorite vegetables come in season, buy
lots. Peppers are easy to freeze – no blanching required, just cut
in slices, bag them and freeze them. Prices can be 1/3 of what the
out of season vegetable
costs.
7. To avoid throwing out food you haven’t used
make a plan for the week that includes the foods in your fridge that need
to be used before spoiling. This also takes the guess work out of what to have
for
dinner or lunch every day.
8. Cut your juice down with water. Most juices are heavy with
sugar or glucose. Using this idea can make a can of juice last twice
as long and cut your sugar intake as well.
9. Plan your weekly menus with tasty meals from your favourite
recipes that use inexpensive ingredients. You will be amazed at how this
plan helps avoid fast food meals.
10. And of course never shop when you’re hungry!
Following these 10 ideas will make a big difference to your
food bill at the end of each month. Remember there are many meals you can add
to your meal plans that won't take much longer than quick cooking foods which
cost more.
Other articles you may find interesting:
Read Barb Keck's Biography |
