Eating Healthy on a Budget

myrbg

Hi everyone!
I've been slowly switching all of the foods in the house with real and fresh produce and I'm loving the benefits of it. Thing is, I seem to have difficulty funding it all the time. I always buy fresh food, but sometimes, I simply can't justify $2.99 for a freakin' cucumber (things get silly expensive in Canada sometimes!) So here's my question: what are some staples you have discovered that help keep your diet as fresh and natural as possible, but doesn't break your piggy bank?

E.g: One that works well for us is almonds. They stay fresh for a long time, they are healthy, and they tie you over in between meals!

I would love some suggestions, feel free to share!

Thanks!

fitniknik

I love melons, they seem to be pretty cheap for how much you get from them and they also last a week or so in the fridge. Almonds are awesome, I so love almonds! Apples are fairly cheap and last along time as well... and carrots. Not necessarily baby carrots because I think they taste weird. I would much rather buy regular carrots and peel them and cut them up as I am ready to eat them. Hope this helps!

walterreed

Try shopping at a farm stand or farmers market. Supermarket price for a bag of potatoes: $7, Farm stand for the SAME bag: $2.50

It pays to shop around. Oh - and the supermarket potatoes were rotten.

Heidi1987

I sometimes buy frozen veg, its cheaper, lasts a lot longer and still has all the nutrients and benifits of fresh

MzMiller1215

I was hesitant to try frozen vegetables as some of my MFP friends suggested; however, I discovered some frozen veggies and fruits that had no additives and actually tasted really good. It was at least 50% cheaper than me purchasing all fresh veggies and lasted longer. I do agree that apples and carrots seem to last longer. I also like oranges and kiwi, which I can buy 3 for $1.00 in the produce aisle of my grocery store. Bananas aren't too bad either but, you have to hurry and eat them before they go bad.

SpaceMarkus

I try to drink Shakeology at least once a day. It's easy to budget, provides a whole meal for under $4, and get all those nutrients right off the bat.

I also look at what I really need to eat organic and what I can skip. Generally, if you peel the skin you can skip the pricier organic. If you eat the skin, better to go organic. Produce stands here in the South East USA are freaking awesome. I can get $30 worth of produce for like $12.

I also find stuff like the Organic Girl lettuce and spinach lasts a lot longer than grocery brand. it's about a dollar more but can last up to a week longer.

And finally, coupons!!! I don't go shopping without checking out some coupons.

27strange

We tend to buy fresh whatever is in season. Right now melons are real good and inexpensive for the quantity they provide. We also have some friends that have gardens and they give us a few of their extras which is a great blessing. Right now we are doing well in cucumbers, squash, tomatoes. Do you have local farmers markets? Often the quality is better and the prices are reasonable and the produce lasts longer than that from the grocery store because its more fresh.

melsinct

I agree with nuts and also all natural peanut butter (ingredients: peanuts, salt). Filling, healthy fats and protein.

Frozen veg is really cheap (though some veg I will only buy fresh because I don't like it frozen). Frozen berries are cheaper than fresh and are great to add to oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, etc.

Cabbage, at least in the US, is dirt cheap and a whole head can last me and my husband 2 weeks. I shred it and stir fry it, braise it, stuff it, eat it raw in coleslaw, etc.

cheeksv

Try shopping at a farm stand or farmers market. Supermarket price for a bag of potatoes: $7, Farm stand for the SAME bag: $2.50

It pays to shop around. Oh - and the supermarket potatoes were rotten.

Farmers markets are the way to go ( I have never actually shopped AT a farm but it sounds fun). Produce is cheap and you get more bang for your buck. That way you can spend more money on other things like meats or something . Some markets actually have Meat sections if there is an indoor part. And best of all you are buying right from the farmers themselves and helping their bottom line rather than the super markets. The food is local and that is always good

Some things I make sure to get is Lettuce, fruit and mushrooms. It is easy to get too much sometimes because the prices are so good haha but remember it will go bad if you do not use it.

LoIF101

Hi there,

Normally for fruits I buy kiwis often - they're cheap and if you buy them ripe, they last a while. Do you like mangos? Perhaps you have African mangos readily accessible, if so, they tend to be reasonably priced for 2/3. Boy choy and avocados are terrific, great source of antioxidants and cheap as hell (well, at least here in NYC). Enjoy your renewed diet! Please let me know how it goes.

lkmisztela

This is a GREAT topic.

I'm also in Canada, and I've found the same thing. The prices are very frustrating. I also have 3 kids, so I'm buying a LOT of food. There's even a difference depending on where you ARE in Canada. On the east coast, I feel like produce is much pricier than what my Ontario friends pay.

I tend to buy a lot of food at Costco - not everything, but there are some things that are much cheaper there.

- cucumbers: 3 for about $2.99
- laughing cow cheese: $5.99 for 32 triangles
- ground turkey is less.. not sure on exact price
- yogurt x 24 containers: $6.99 - $8.99
- baby spinach large container is $2.99
- romaine lettuce x 6 heads: $4.99

Then I buy the rest at No Frills - I find for some items, their sales are better than Costco. This week, I found coffee for $6.99 there, whereas superstore, sobeys and Costco had it for more like $11.60+.

I also buy reduced meat - 30% off really helps! Depending on what area you're shopping in, you can get some really great deals on some better and healthier meat options. This sometimes works for produce too, but you have to eat the veggies the SAME day, usually. For veggies that I will be cooking or adding to sauces, etc, I find it's better to buy frozen. It's usually cheaper and there's no waste because you've forgotten to eat whatever it is.

I also do things like be-bone/skin my own chicken breasts when they are on sale - you can save money by doing the work yourself. I buy bread on sale and freeze it.

I try not to buy too much processed food unless I really HAVE to do something quickly. Most of the time, it is quicker for me to make most of the healthier "convenience foods" anyhow and cheaper. The other day, I felt like hamburgers. So I looked at the PC Blue Menu ones, and saw.. "hmmm. 12 burgers for $9.99, sodium count isn't ideal, fairly ok calories, etc." Then I went to the meat section and found that extra-lean ground beef was on sale, plus there was some reduced as well at 30% off. So instead of $9.99 for 12 burgers, it was more like $4.50 for what ended up making 16 burgers. Score!

fesse02

Myr:

Have you tried going to Walmart? Their fruits and veggies are at good prices.

Try Basic Foods, I know there is one in Orleans for sure and go to the Market downtown it's so worth the trip!!! At the Market you'll buy all your bulk for the week and so much cheaper!!!

and use Frozen when ever possible.
Let me know xo

farmers_daughter

We eat whatever is on sale. I figure it mixes it up a bit.

That means we've had tomato sandwiches before, or grilled zuchinni with a slice or two of ham, Veggie Salads, lots of sauteed mushrooms and onions, they go good on about anything.

We have a store called Fareway here and they will match competitor ads, that's always a nice thing.

MayMaydoesntrun

I've been known to go shopping everyday and just get a few items. I think it saves me money, because what I get is what I'm actually wanting at the time, nothing goes to waste. Frozen vegetables can be a good choice, you can find some that are not high in sodium..the ones not covered in sauces, etc. Good luck, Myr!

soccermum75

i just buy whatever is in season unless i need something specific for a recipe.:flowerforyou: