17 Ways to Save Money on Food

                                      

 

September is Fruit and Veggie Month. Eating a healthy diet has several benefits. Eating healthy provides nutrients for your body that give you energy, keep your muscles working, keep your heart healthy and keep your brain sharp. Nutrients also help your body build strong bones and regulate body processes, such as blood pressure and blood sugar.

Eating healthy can lower your risk of developing chronic diseases. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure and may lower your risk of certain types of cancer. Eating healthy also helps those who already have a health issue or disease and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

Eating healthy provides your body with antioxidants that help you feel and look younger and reduces the chance of getting a disease. They also help protect your body from damage from toxins, the sun and smoke. 

It also provides your body with protein, vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your immune system, keep your teeth and bones strong and burn carbohydrates for energy. The old adage, eat in moderation is still true today. Eat a variety of foods that are colorful such as green leafy vegetables, orange or yellow vegetables. Here are 17 tips to help save money fruits and veggies and other foods.

1. Buy small items. Buy items that are less expensive such as: beans and lentils, brown rice and grains, soups, meat and fish, marinades, sauces and spices.
2. Cook more. When cooking make extra to freeze, or use later in the week for leftovers or lunch. Double or triple recipes, then freeze the remaining in portion size bags. 
3. Buy in bulk. Freeze perishable items such as meat, milk, and bread.
4. Canned. Buy canned foods with low sodium.
5. Compare. Comparison shop to find the least expensive generic or store brands. 
6. Check Sales. Buy items on sale but watch out for trick sales, the regular price may be cheaper than the sale price.
7. Eat at home. Many items at restaurants are high in fat and calories.
8. Whole or Raw Foods. Buy Raw or Whole Foods which are much healthier.
9. Eat Protein. To maintain muscle you need to eat 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day. You can substitute protein by drinking protein shakes or eating protein bars.
10. Buy Frozen. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables which are less expensive.
11. In Season. Only buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. Out of season items are more expensive.
12. Buy local. Support local farmers and shop at farmer’s markets.
13. Use Coupons. Look at the Wednesday or Sunday newspaper for coupons or try online sites such as coupons.com or couponmom.com for discounts on items. Shop at stores that double coupons.
14. Sign up for Discount Cards. Sign up for grocery store loyalty or discount cards to save money.
15. Shopping List. Make a shopping list of the things you absolutely need and stick to it.
16. Hungry. Don’t go shopping when you are hungry; you tend to buy more items than you normally would or tend to buy more unhealthy items.
17. Plan Meals. Plan you meals for the week and shop according to your meals. This helps you stay focused and prevents you spending more money than you should.