For example, carrots, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, pears and bananas are in season during the fall and winter.

Yes, you can find them in spring and summer too, but prices are usually lowest when the items are in season. Another money saving tip for getting healthy groceries is to shop for produce that keeps well.

This helps reduce your food waste and since you have to buy your food, it reduces your money waste as well. Some produce that keeps well includes: onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, apples and oranges.

You can also chop and freeze fresh fruits and vegetables to delay them from spoiling. Frozen and canned vegetables can be healthy too. Just be sure to check the labels for added ingredients, like extra sugar and salt that can sabotage your healthy plans.

Look through the newspaper, go online or check your mailbox before you go shopping to see if there are coupons for any of the products you need. Some stores may have mobile apps too. Lunch Try this versatile idea for lunch or dinner next time you are planning weekly meals:.

Mix all ingredients together. Enjoy with crackers, as a sandwich, in a lettuce wrap or a tortilla wrap. Dinner This light and comforting five ingredient casserole is perfect for chilly nights at home with your family this winter.

You can also try this dish with cream of mushroom soup and substitute mushrooms instead of chicken for a vegetarian option. Preheat the oven to degrees F.

Coat a 3 quart or 13×9 dish with cooking spray. In a bowl, mix all ingredients together. Spoon into the baking dish. Top with crumbled crackers and drizzle melted butter over the crackers.

UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB News. Click to begin search. News You Can Use. February 10, Print Email. Written by: Haley Herfurth Media contact: Adam Pope Think eating healthy foods is too expensive to try?

A little forethought and planning go a long way: Create a shopping list. Plan around weekly sales. Check the unit price. Shop for seasonal produce.

Always buy your favorite meat when you see it on sale. Make your freezer your friend. Stock up on discounted grains and dry goods.

Reduce food waste. back to top. Think eating healthy foods is too expensive to try? You can enjoy nutritious foods without breaking the bank — and there are more benefits than just saving money, said Riley Thornton, wellness specialist in UAB Employee Wellness.

Create a shopping list. The biggest key to smart, budget-friendly eating is setting aside time to plan ahead. A weekly meal plan can help you create a master grocery list. Prioritize food dollars for vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean protein and whole grains, rather than highly processed items and packaged snack foods, which can be expensive.

Instead, prepare some healthy snacks ahead of time to eat during the week. Plan around weekly sales. Be sure to compare national brands with store labels for lowest prices.

Not sure whether or not to buy five individual-sized yogurt packages or one larger yogurt container? Try this when deciding between fresh or frozen items such as broccoli, regular or family-size boxes of cereals and single-serving or large containers of yogurt.

Shop for seasonal produce. Local, seasonal produce is at its peak flavor and is more readily available for a lower price, Thornton said. They usually have the same nutritional quality, but check the labels for added sugars or salt.

Always buy your favorite meat when you see it on sale. Animal protein is often the most expensive ingredient in recipes, so planning a meatless meal several times each week can also cut down your costs.

Using your freezer more often can help reduce food waste and help prepare you for nights when you may be tempted to spend money on eating out. Plan to double a healthy recipe each week and freeze leftovers to have for another time. Mix your leftover ground meat protein with a marinara sauce to freeze and have ready for a spaghetti night, buy frozen vegetables to add to a stir-fry or freeze fresh spinach to put in your next smoothie.

Stock up on discounted grains and dry goods. Whole grains and dried beans are generally inexpensive, so you can get more nutrition for your dollar. Take advantage of sales and bulk bins and prepare dried beans, peas and lentils ahead of time to freeze so you have fiber- and protein-rich foods on hand at all times.

Reduce food waste. According to a EPA study , Americans toss more than 38 million tons of food each year. Make the most of your food by planning to use highly perishable foods such as fish, greens, berries and fresh herbs earlier in the week while saving heartier items for later. Enjoy leftovers for lunch or create new meals with your leftovers.

From learning how to develop an academic plan, find lactation centers on campus, gain access to Blazer Kitchen and more, UAB is a place where parenting Blazers can thrive.

Appointments are available April 3-June 1. Activate your account and explore new ways to earn cash rewards. Throughout Wellness Week Oct. Take a walk around campus to find a little-known green space closest to you and take a moment for mindfulness using this Google Map we created just for you.

Eating Healthy on a Budget: 4 Diet and Wallet Friendly Recipes · 2 cups quick oats · 1 cup peanut butter · ¼ cup of your favorite (or the least Beat the impulse buys and stick to a budget with these 10 meal planning hacks! Make smart food choices that are friendly to both your health and your Let's talk about budget meal planning today. Admittedly, wallet-conscious dinner ideas and strategies aren't the most exciting subject, but

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