If you’ve tried to buy healthy food at the grocery store, you might have been put off by the price. After all, organic apples are so much more expensive than conventionally grown ones, and whole grain snack crackers cost more than white soda crackers.
But those price comparisons are not the whole picture – maybe whole grain snack crackers cost more than white ones, but have you compared that to the price of a bag of flour, from which you could make your own snacks? Sometimes you have to rethink the way you view food prices to really get the healthiest food for the best price.
Here are some tips on how you can buy and eat healthy food even on a modest budget.
“Cheap” Food Isn’t as Cheap as You Think
So your favorite brand of potato chips is on sale for $2 a bag, and you have a coupon! But before you gloat about your good deal, have you checked the price of a 3-lb bag of organic potatoes? They may be on sale for $2, too – and guess how many more potato dishes you can make from that bag than you can from a bag of potato chips.
The same goes for nearly all processed foods – they may seem cheap, but buying the whole, healthy food version is often cheaper. Think of it this way: instead of buying completed, processed foods, buy ingredients instead. Rather than buying two loaves of bread, buy a bag of whole wheat flour for the same price (or less) and make far more than two loaves.
Stick to the Edges
Overall, whole foods are cheaper than processed, prepackaged ones, and the whole foods are generally sold along the outside edges of the average grocery store. In the center of the store, you’ll find cereal, candy, bread, canned foods, and so forth; along the edges you’ll find produce, meat, and dairy. The exception to this might be whole grains and dried beans – many stores stock their whole grain flours and dried beans in the center aisles.
Cut Back on Meat
When it comes to eating healthy food and budgeting your groceries, you may find that meat takes up a big chunk of the budget. However, replacing meat with processed meat substitutes (such as tofu burgers) is not particularly cost-effective. Instead, consider replacing meat with other protein sources, such as brown rice and beans. Blocks of tofu tend to be very inexpensive as well, and are considered healthful meat substitutes.
Buy in Season
Buying healthy food in season can save a lot of money, and some health experts claim your body processes seasonal foods better. Buying local foods helps, too, and stocking up on favorites when they are in season and preserving them yourself can save a lot. Canning, freezing, and drying seasonal fruits and vegetables helps boost your diet in the winter months, and it’s easier on your budget.
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