Cheap, Healthy Grocery Foods!

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  • kremsergirl
    kremsergirl Posts: 35
    I have a local Sprouts store, which is pretty much a glorified farmers market. I love it!!! I usually buy all my groceries at Wal-Mart, except my produce, and then head to Sprouts to get fresh fruits and veggies. I got a seedless watermelon there-2 pounds for less than $2!!! I've compared their prices with Wal-Mart and they are at least half the price on almost all their produce, plus Sprouts produce is a lot fresher than Wal-Mart.
  • cathyg18
    cathyg18 Posts: 150 Member
    Bump
  • RoshadReid
    RoshadReid Posts: 24
    What is bump?

    Bump means move this to the top of the forums because it is an important subject.
  • patjad
    patjad Posts: 55 Member
    Bulk chicken breast
    Hearty, filling veggies---Spaghetti Squash, ANY squash, really. Green-leaf veggies

    I find the cheapest stuff to buy is in fact usually the healthier stuff--as long as youre willing to make the effort to cook a little bit.
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
    SPROUTS! A couple of weeks ago they had ANY size watermelon, honeydew or cantaloup for 99 cents. And I still havent seen watermelon over 20 cents a pound there since its been in season. Their produce is rediculously cheap compared to elsewhere around here AND fresher so it lasts longer.
    Rice, Buying bulk chicken when its .99-1.99 per lb and freezing it in individual bags (investing in a vacuum sealer is totally worth it) and that works for other meats as well. Beans. Cooking in large batches and freezing individual portions so you dont go out to eat or buy frozen dinners (even when they are on sale its typically more expensive then what youre cooking) Eggs! Im in Phoenix so a standard of living similar to your and every couple of weeks someone has eggs on sale for 99 cents a dozen. And eggs are good 3-5 weeks past the "sale by" date if you keep them refrigerated.

    Im totally a sales shopper though, Ive found coupons are usually on the pre-packaged things I dont want so I buy fresh & on sale. I also shop produce weekly to prevent waste
  • SaddyPants
    SaddyPants Posts: 152 Member
    I will give my vote to Sprouts as well. I love it there! I always get my meat and produce there. The store is always really clean and the produce is wonderful! They have everything there and if there is one in your area I would definitely check it out.
  • AshinAms
    AshinAms Posts: 283 Member
    This was my list! Also add to that frozen chicken breasts, a yoghurt maker and UHT milk (cheap in bulk) and you have the basis for a LOT of foods. eg:

    Frozen fruit + yoghurt = smoothies.
    Rice + beans
    Beans, rice & peas
    Couscous with roasted vegetables
    Stir fried veg & tofu with rice
    Veggie strips with hummus (from chickpeas)
    Chicken breasts (frozen) with noodles/rice
    Tuna & tomato pasta

    etc etc

    I would say take care when you check the prices of dried beans vs canned. I have been surprised before here in Europe to find that canned beans can cost slightly less.

    Bump is to move this up the board and to put it under "My Topics" to view later.

    Cheap healthy foods:
    dried beans
    frozen fruits and vegetables
    brown rice
    canned tuna
    tofu
    bulk grains (steel cut oats, quinoa, etc.)
    last day fruits and veggies

    I don't waste money on alot of processed foods.
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    AshinAms- Wow.. your canned beans are cheaper? That is sooo crazy to me... our dried beans are 10 cups cooked for 99 cents, versus two cups cooked for 99 cents canned (still a bargain compared to other foods). I usually buy a bag of dried beans, soak them, and then cook them in the crockpot.... and then eat and eat and eat them during the week. :-) I make alot of bean pastas and bean salads.
  • tamheath
    tamheath Posts: 702 Member
    Aldi's is great for their CHEAP fresh produce. Their frozen fish is also very good! I've had both the tilapia and the salmon.
  • tammykoon
    tammykoon Posts: 298 Member
    I agree with all the food ideas and shopping options. (BTW, I must figure out a way to get a "Sprouts" here!) Two suggestion that I would make I would add.

    1. Make a menu. Doesn't have to be intricate.
    -Mon. Spaghetti
    -Tue. Fish

    2. Make a grocery list using your menu as a shopping guide.
    -make sure to include all meals. I always eat canned tuna,or chicken. So each week I put a can on my list. My hubby loves fiber bars as his lunch so they go on it to.

    This way you are only buying what you need for the week instead of hitting the store and trying to figure it all out. On the weeks when you have a little extra stock up on pantry items like whole wheat pasta, chicken stock, and dried beans. That way when you have a a week when you are short on cash you can just pick up what is really needed.
  • kate1975
    kate1975 Posts: 31
    I try to save money by buying fruit and veg that's been reduced then I prep and chop and freeze produce. Works for me x
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