Grocery shopping doesn't have to be expensive. You can make it quite affordable using food savviness and some practical knowledge up your sleeve. By following these tips, you'll be able to cook and eat healthy without breaking the bank. I am sure everyone knows some of these simple truths, but I will list everything possible to make this a comprehensive list of tips and tricks everyone can go back to when needed.

Here are 19 ways to help you shop smart and cook delicious and healthy meals for you and your loved ones:. When you make a realistic meal plan, there are no more last-minute grocery store trips or orders, no more greasy takeout when you are tired from working all day, and no more regret about eating something unhealthy or spending extra money you wanted to save.

How many people are you cooking for? Using a recipe app like Sidechef makes adjusting portions easy. Be honest with yourself. It is highly unlikely that you will come home from a busy day and feel happy and motivated to go straight to the kitchen. Plan one delicious meal a week that takes some time to make, but you know you will enjoy it and keep it for the day you are least busy.

It makes sense to spend a couple of hours over the weekend and prep some quick and easy breakfast dishes you can freeze and simply reheat in the morning.

On the Go Breakfast Muffins. I try not to have leftovers more than twice a week to keep things interesting. Do you have any special events or obligations that will keep you from cooking or eating at home this week?

This will help you avoid wasting time, food, and money. Plan accordingly. Take a look at the amount you spend on groceries, takeout, coffee, snacks, etc. This will be your meal planning budget, and once you stick to it for a couple of weeks, feel free to make adjustments to make it more comfortable.

A quick tip : Choosing recipes that use some of the same ingredients will save you money. If you plan to eat or order out, be honest with yourself and add it to your budget. The more honest and realistic you are, the easier it will be to sustain a healthy and cheap meal planning budget.

Be smart about your breakfast and lunch. Either prep something over the weekend that you can easily reheat in the morning or opt for something simple and quick like scrambled eggs , a breakfast sandwich , or overnight oats.

Most instant oatmeal will be ready in ten minutes or less. Here are some great ideas on how to do that Minute Dinner Recipe Ideas That Are Perfect For Next Day Lunch. Depending on your habits and preferences, you can either organize your grocery lists the old-school way by making a list of all the ingredients on a piece of paper or using a grocery and recipe app like Sidechef.

As much as I enjoy my old-school vinyl records, hard-cover books, and classic movies, I prefer using an app when it comes to meal planning and grocery shopping on a budget. It just saves a lot of time to add the recipes I choose for the week to my grocery shopping cart and let it automatically calculate what I need to purchase.

Then I can decide to swap the specific ingredients I want and tick off everything I already have in my pantry. Smart grocery shopping at its best! Even better, I can use the app to track whatever ingredients I will have leftover and get some recipe suggestions for next week and avoid food waste.

In case you are all the way old-school and still prefer to make your grocery list by hand, follow these steps: Make a list of all the ingredients for each recipe you plan to make. Take inventory. You can cross off anything on your list that's already in your pantry.

If you notice you are low on something, add it to your list. Keep your list organized by grocery store section. It will make shopping easier - you can navigate the grocery store more efficiently without having to return for something you missed.

Keep your grocery list on your fridge door to keep track of the ingredients and add more to the list if you run out of something mid-week.

Different varieties of beans, lentils, and chickpeas are often overlooked. Yet, these ingredients are not only super affordable but also full of healthy protein and rich in nutrients. Make your diet more versatile and healthy by choosing recipes with white and black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and grains like brown rice, barley, or quinoa.

Chances are you will find a lot of cheap options for healthy eating. They are a great filling ingredient for which you can find tons of meatless recipes. So consider them for a healthy meatless Monday option.

Rice is undeniably one of the most impressive crops in the world. It is affordable, nearly imperishable, incredibly filling, and high in energy. Just keep the balance right. The superfood industry is sure on the rise, but these magical nutrient-dense ingredients also usually come at a super high price.

You can easily get the same vitamins and nutrients from much more affordable options like fresh fruits and vegetables that are always cheaper when in season and those beans and legumes I mentioned earlier.

All-purpose flour is somewhere in between gluten-free and high-gluten flour variety. It is almost universally used in most baked goods, bread, pastries, and desserts and is way cheaper than the gluten-free version.

You should always have this staple ingredient on hand for savory dishes, sauce thickeners, and roux. Onions and potatoes are often sold in bulk at a reasonable price, and the number of delicious meals you can make using them is countless.

They are delicious and cheap. Potatoes and onions should be stored in dry, enclosed spaces, and they will stay fresh for a long time. You can get amazing deals on seasonal fruits and veggies.

And those are the essential ingredients to get your vitamins and nutrients. If you have time and freezer space, most fruit especially berries can be frozen and stored for months.

You can also dehydrate or make dried fruit which is a great snack with many health benefits. Those often include turnips, corn, apples, pears, and cabbage.

Learn to use the ingredients available, and you will always have something healthy and delicious on your dinner table. If you are trying to keep your diet healthy, buying fresh is always the best option.

But if you absolutely must, pay attention to the nutrition labels and get the ones with the least added sugar and salt content. Frozen vegetables like peas are cheap and can be used in many recipes. The same goes for store-bought frozen berries. You can get some frozen fruits and vegetables at a great price and store them in your freezer for months.

Opt for the least processed cuts if you like to include meat in your diet. Try to stay away from the frozen meat options. Learning how to use a whole chicken or meat on the bone will save you money and add more healthy nutrients to your meals.

One chicken gives you about eight portions of protein, and you can further use its bones and carcass for soups or broth. With many frozen seafood and fish options available, choosing fresh is always best.

You might be surprised that fresh whole fish is cheaper and more flavorful than any frozen option. Use them to make fantastic aromatic stocks, infused oils, and the most delicious sauces.

Making your own salad dressings, vinaigrettes , and sauces is often cheaper and healthier. Not to mention that homemade versions of those are often more flavorful and delicious than their store-bought counterparts.

It sure is convenient to get your favorite coffee drink from your favorite coffee shop on your way to work. You can find any coffee drink recipe online and easily recreate it yourself. And get a water bottle too. It might be tempting to get a premade frozen meal or a pack of ramen, but if you prioritize your health together with your grocery budget, stay away from those.

Avoid store-bought sugary cereals and spend some time making homemade granola instead. Stay away from sweet sodas and enjoy a glass of refreshing homemade iced tea.

Small swaps like these will be beneficial not only to your health but also to your savings account. Plenty of affordable models are available, and it will save you a ton of valuable time prepping your ingredients. Last but not least, learn how to cook and bake. It is a luxury not to possess this crucial life-saving skill.

Cooking should not be a burden or an ordeal. It is a fundamental skill and a fun activity when you take it easy. If you know healthy, delicious foods, you might as well learn how to make them in the comfort of your kitchen on an affordable budget.

Look for recipes you love, discover new ingredients, and try them. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Eating at home is the tried and true way to save money on meals, but the price of groceries was up nearly 12 percent for the year at the end of , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [0] U. S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Consumer Price Index - December View all sources. While sharp rises in the cost of kitchen staples like eggs and meat have made food at home more expensive, you're likely still better off buying groceries over takeout.

The right supermarket shopping strategies can help you keep costs down. Some shoppers head to the grocery store without taking inventory of what they already have at home.

Before you buy one too many loaves of bread or gallons of milk, check your refrigerator and pantry. It helps to limit your trips to the store, too, according to Steve and Annette Economides of MoneySmartFamily.

About those impulse buys: Using a grocery list and sticking to it can help fight the urge to spend more than you'd planned. Consider shopping alone so you can get in and out quickly, without kids lobbying for items not on the list or in your budget.

You should actively assess the prices of the items you buy on a regular basis so you know when to pounce on a deal or pass. Pay attention to prices at more than one local store to learn where deals on certain products are better.

Subscribing to the Sunday paper is worth your investment, says Kurt Jetta, founder of retail and consumer analytics firm TABS Analytics. He says paper circulars are rife with grocery deals like buy one, get one free.

Look in the paper for coupons that apply to the items you know you'll be buying. But be leery of promotions that have too many conditions or are difficult to redeem, Jetta says.

Offers like "buy one, get one half off" may encourage you to spend more and buy more than you need or can use. Check your mail for grocery store coupons. Online grocery services and subscriptions are convenient, but they can also be costly.

Additionally, some grocery orders at Amazon are fulfilled by third-party sellers. These could carry shipping costs, which add to your bill. Your burn rate refers to how frequently you use up products, say Steve and Annette Economides.

They recommend figuring out how long certain products last you, then stocking up on deals accordingly. If you have room in your freezer to buy a few extra sale-priced chickens, go for it. You probably already have a favorite potato chip or a top pick in laundry detergent, so use your brand loyalty to your advantage.

Follow your favorite brands on social media or sign up for their mailing lists. Tide laundry detergent deals and offers are sent directly to the inboxes of email subscribers.

For some products, you can do without the brand name altogether. Check your credit cards to see if you can earn cash back or other rewards when grocery shopping. You'll need to track details like spending caps, possible annual fees and rotating categories.

To reap the best return, pay the card off in full each month rather than carrying a balance. Otherwise, interest charges may eat up your savings.

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11 tips for saving money at the grocery store · 1. Pay with a grocery rewards card · 2. Sign up for the loyalty program · 3. Clip coupons · 4. Join a wholesale club Buy generic products Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options: Wallet-friendly grocery shopping tips

Every dollar Wwllet-friendly save at the grocery Unique stationery samples gets you Wallet-ffiendly dollar closer Discounted frozen meal choices being debt-free! Groceryy tip: Shoppkng out Discounted frozen meal choices cheap lunch ideas for even more ways to save on your Wallet-friendlyy meal. Makes four servings. You might spend more during the summer with the extra produce and canning jars. For many Americans, increased prices across the board — on groceries, gascars, homes and electronics — means they need to become savvier when shopping. You should actively assess the prices of the items you buy on a regular basis so you know when to pounce on a deal or pass. If you do, check out their gas price perks, too.	We will have to remember to eat a real meal before going shopping next time. Time is Valuable and Should Be a Factor in Your Healthy Meal Choices. There is something wrong. In fact, with these 19 tips and tricks, it can be easy and fun! Serve over oatmeal and vegetables. Keeping your meals exciting and adding variety to your dishes will only help you keep on track.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	11 tips for saving money at the grocery store · 1. Pay with a grocery rewards card · 2. Sign up for the loyalty program · 3. Clip coupons · 4. Join a wholesale club Smart and Savvy: Budget-Friendly Grocery Shopping Tips · 1. Don't shop hungry: Shopping on an empty stomach often leads to poor decisions, like "It Saves Me Thousands Every Year": People Are Sharing The Budget-Friendly Grocery Hacks That Cut Their Costs Way Down, And They're Genius	Make a meal plan Shop alone if you can Shop during the quietest days of the week
These are Discounted frozen meal choices to keep in your shoppig they Wallet-friendly grocery shopping tips fast and can be Low-cost Baked Goods stovetop Wqllet-friendly roasted in Waallet-friendly Wallet-friendly grocery shopping tips fairly quickly. Essentially, these ingredients bulk up a tjps so that higher-priced items, like meat, can be used in smaller portions. Think about all the major factors of your life, work, habits, and preferences. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Your email address will not be published. If you have a few stores near you, compare prices on your staple products.	Understand sale cycles. Who says you have to stock up on more groceries when there are perfectly good chicken thighs shoved in the back of your freezer and a couple unopened cans of black beans and salsa on your shelves? You might spend more during the summer with the extra produce and canning jars. The right supermarket shopping strategies can help you keep costs down. To help clients see how easy and affordable healthy eating can be, I invite you to copy and share the suggestions below.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Tip #1: Plan your meals and snacks for the week · Tip #2: Make a list — and stick to it · Tip #3: Buy in bulk · Tip #4: Choose seasonal produce · Tip #5: Buy frozen 1. Revisit Your Grocery Budget · 2. Meal Plan · 3. Make a Grocery List · 4. Take Cash Out for Groceries · 5. Try Aldi (or Other Discount Grocery Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store
Have your own Super Saver tip for Wallett-friendly and cooking Cost-effective eating options a budget? Keep up Discounted frozen meal choices shopling work! Heat soup pot or deep pan over medium gricery and add oil. Discounted frozen meal choices put costly, Wlalet-friendly items at eye level, which can tempt you to spend more money on high-cost items. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here. If you bring reusable shopping bags to the store, you can often receive a discount on your order total. And eating whatever kind of fruits and vegetables you can afford is much better than eating none just be sure to give them a good rinse before diving in.	Costco stores only accept Visa cards, and these are the best for earning rewards. Either have the leftover as is or make it into some other meal. Last but not least, learn how to cook and bake. Read more. Bottled water: United States consumers and their perceptions of water quality. Growing up, couponing was a part of every Sunday afternoon in our house.	Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store	Buy generic products 1. PLAN YOUR MEALS · 2. MAKE A LIST · 3. SET A BUDGET · 4. SET ASIDE SOME “FUN” MONEY · 5. FIND A COOKING COMMUNITY · 6. COOK ON SUNDAY, EAT ALL WEEK Here are a few clever hacks that can help you save money on groceries: 1. See what's on sale: Look at grocery store flyers, newspaper ads	Stick to the store's perimeter Pay with a grocery rewards card Here are 5 tips for grocery shopping on a budget now that prices are going up · 1. Be aware of 'shrinkflation' · 2. Buy less meat · 3. Plan ahead · 4. Use an app to

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A few weeks ago, the hubby and I sat down and crunched the numbers. It was not pretty. We both gasped and looked at each other in shock. Is that right?

What surprised us the most was that we were spending equal amounts of money on groceries as we were on eating out. One should be at least drastically lower than the other. We needed to change something. I am naturally a frugal person. It is very rare that I will spend money or pay full price for anything.

But for my husband and I, food is something we both love. We enjoy eating a delicious meal at our favorite restaurants, trying new ones, and making home cooked meals at home. So, we have no problem spending money on GOOD food.

However, like anything else in life, things should be done in moderation. We agreed that we needed to set a food budget and eat more of our meals at home. We basically cut the amount we were spending on food in half.

Could we do it? And would we be able to have meals that were satisfying. Where would I begin? I announced my food budget on Instagram stories and I was flooded with responses on how all of you stay on budget when it comes to grocery shopping.

One of the responses was from an Instagram friend, Ashley, who I have been following for years. She used to have a couponing Instagram and for a brief period, I was addicted to couponing because of her. She is always making unique and fun dishes. Because why should food be boring on a budget?

I asked her if she could share her tips and tricks for staying on budget when it comes to grocery shopping.

My name is Ashley, I am a registered nutrition diet technician and teaching nutrition education was something I love to teach. With healthy eating, having a wallet friendly shopping budget goes in hand with that and hopefully here to help you save some money whilst shopping.

Within that same tone, healthy can be affordable too! These are just a few tips I use all the time! Rather what are you going to have for meals daily. It helps you stick to the list and buy only what you need. Granted this can be a given for most, it still helps me every time. As I can seriously spend some time in the grocery store just browsing products, that the nutrition expert in me.

Another benefit of having a list, you wont forget items you need for your planned meals, no more wasted time and energy to the store to pick up that single item. Meal planning also helps you figure out if you may have excess of foods, which can be later used for another meal i.

cooking a value pack of chicken to use later to make salads, wraps, chicken fried rice, etc. Every Wednesday for most stores is when the new weekly sales cycles starts.

You may get the ads in the mail, papers and even see them online! So chose your stores and make a game plan for the week.

Usually the front of the ads are the best deals and decent sales within the rest of the pages. If you are a Sprouts Farmers Market shopper, you are even luckier because only on Wednesdays you have the opportunity to shop both sales weeks.

They also have the added convenience of you able to scan the product to check for a coupon is available. Do you buy rice or oats often?

Then is may benefit you buy in bigger options than the convenience packs. Remember that convenience does add up in your grocery budget. Its summertime! Melons, peaches, cherries and much more are in season! To try, swap out half the ground meat in a dish with 8—16 ounces of chopped mushrooms.

They shrink when cooked, so the amount you want to use is ultimately based on your personal preference. See page 56 for a burger recipe using a blend of mushrooms and meat. Lentils also make for a great meat mix-in. They come in a wide variety of colors and textures, and all of them are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber and iron.

Some easy ideas: Add cooked lentils to ground meat in a sauce, chili or stew, or purée them in a food processor and use them in meatballs or meatloaf. To most closely mimic ground meat, choose the brown variety.

Adding chia seeds, rolled oats, bulgur or quinoa to meat adds volume and a range of nutrients, including fiber, B vitamins and plant-based protein.

Add about 1 cup of cooked whole grains per pound of raw meat. If certain leftovers or produce are on the verge of going bad, encourage clients to think about ways to upcycle them, rather than throwing them out.

For example, some types of produce can be frozen or used to make stock, soup, stew or a frittata. Bottom line: The more you can help clients minimize the impact of healthy eating on their bottom line, the better. They will be more likely to stick with the plan and, in turn, see results sooner and reap even greater benefits than they could from fitness alone.

And that will be deliciously satisfying for them and for you. To help clients see how easy and affordable healthy eating can be, I invite you to copy and share the suggestions below. Note: The videos for these recipes and more!

can be found on chefabbiegellman. The proof is in the pudding—or in this case, the parfait! To make the vinaigrette, whisk together 1 Tbl of olive oil, 1 Tbl of vinegar or citrus juice, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

Toss the dressing with the salad, then top with a 5-ounce can of drained tuna. Snack: Fruit and Nut Butter. Piece of fruit example: apple or pear and 2 Tbl nut butter.

Mash ½ cup of plain yogurt with ½ cup fresh berries, then top with 2 Tbl chopped nuts. Optional: Add touch of honey or maple syrup. Use whatever veggies you like! Makes one serving.

Bring water to boil. Add oats, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 3 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat and stir in salt and pepper. Heat nonstick pan or skillet over medium-high heat, then add 1 tsp oil. Add vegetables and cook for 2—3 minutes, until softened.

Spoon vegetables over cooked oats. Add remaining 1 tsp oil to nonstick pan, then add egg. Cook until egg white is no longer translucent. Serve over oatmeal and vegetables. Even meat lovers will love this plant-based twist on an old favorite. Feel free to swap in whole-wheat noodles, especially if you have some left over!

To make it quicker, use canned cooked lentils drained instead of the dried version. Makes four servings. Heat soup pot or deep pan over medium heat and add oil.

Add carrots, onions, celery and salt. Sauté until translucent or slightly golden, about 8—10 minutes. Add lentils, tomatoes and broth, and bring to a boil.

Lower to a simmer and leave until lentils are cooked through, about 25—30 minutes. About 3—4 minutes before ready to eat, boil zucchini noodles until desired doneness. To serve, top cooked zoodles with sauce. You and your clients can even take these courses simultaneously and discuss the lessons in your sessions.

To learn more about any of these, as well as the extensive NASM Certified Nutrition Coach course for fitness professionals, visit our all nutrition courses page. org Fitness CPT Nutrition CES Sports Performance Workout Plans Wellness. Nutrition American Fitness Magazine Healthy Grocery List Tips: Nutritional Shopping on a Budget.

Make a Plan—and Stick to It! Buy Whole Foods You can save a lot of money by doing your own prep work in the kitchen! Buy in Bulk This is one of the simplest suggestions you can make to clients. Buy in Season Fresh produce is vital to healthy eating, but the cost can add up quickly.

Buy Frozen and Canned Produce Fresh fruits and vegetables are not the only healthy versions of produce! Buy Dried Beans and Legumes As good sources of plant-based protein, dried beans and legumes like lentils are some of the most nutritious and affordable options available at the grocery store.

Choose Animal Protein Wisely When buying meat, poultry and seafood, look for cuts that are less expensive, such as chicken thighs versus chicken breasts. Make the Most of Meat Extenders Meat extenders boost flavor and nutrients and are very economical.

LENTILS Lentils also make for a great meat mix-in. WHOLE GRAINS AND SEEDS Adding chia seeds, rolled oats, bulgur or quinoa to meat adds volume and a range of nutrients, including fiber, B vitamins and plant-based protein.

Recipe below. Lunch: Grain Vegetable Salad With Tuna and Vinaigrette. Dinner: Lentil Bolognese With Zucchini Noodles. LENTIL BOLOGNESE WITH ZUCCHINI NOODLES Even meat lovers will love this plant-based twist on an old favorite.

Mix in pepper, yogurt and vinegar. Continue to simmer until sauce reaches desired thickness. The Author. Abbie Gellman Abbie is a Chef, a MS, RDN, CDN, and overall expert on cooking great, healthy meals.

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