Let’s face it – the cheapest food at the grocery store isn’t always the healthiest choice. Filled with chemicals, preservatives, sugar and fat, these items are often tempting, but they lead us down an unhappy road to health problems. Buying healthier foods can be more expensive, but there are ways to cut costs and stay on budget even when shopping for healthy, fresh and organic items.
Manufacturers of organic and healthy foods often have coupons for their products, so all you have to do is find them (and remember to use them). To find free printable coupons for these items, check out our Coupon Database and enter the name of what you want to purchase in the search bar. You will be surprised to find how many free printable coupons you will find.
After you have loaded up on those free online grocery coupons, grab your grocery circulars and study them for deals on lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as frozen veggies. Also search for whole-grain breads and low-sugar, whole-grain cereals on special. We highlight stores like Aldi, Sprouts and Whole Foods that have great selections of fresh produce, as well as healthy, organic food choices.
Costco and other warehouse stores like Sam’s Club, are another way to stock up and save on healthier items. They have great deals on bulk meats, vegetables, fruits and cereals. If you are worried that you won’t be able to use four gallons of milk or a flat of veggies/fruits before they go bad, consider shopping with a friend or sibling. You can split the food and the cost without wasting any precious food. Memberships to this stores are around $50/year and pay for themselves after 1 or 2 visits.
You can also be healthy and eco-minded at your local farmers’ market. By purchasing locally grown foods, you not only help local farmers, but it costs less money and energy to transport foods a short distance. In addition, you can get great deals on fresh foods, meats, flowers and other items.
Seasonal items are almost always cheaper than out-of-season foods. So plan menus around the bounty of the season. For example, watermelon is cheaper in summer. So don’t buy it in December when it is at a sky high price. Canned goods and other shelf-stable items are also available more cheaply at certain times of the year. For example, you will find better deals on baking items during the months of November and December. While baking might sound not so healthy, we all deserve a treat now and then, and baking it yourself is always healthier than buying items full of preservatives and strange chemicals.
Being healthier is worth its weight in gold, and if you work at it, buying healthier doesn’t have to cost a lot either.
A nutrition degree online can offer you more great tips on how to eat healthy.
