Eating Healthy on a Budget

One thing we do is roast a chicken on the weekend. We pay $10 for a large plump chicken, which will make several meals for a family of 3 (and lunches too!) Another thing we do is buy black beans and other beans dry, which are pretty cheap and they are both healthy and cheap. We buy some fresh produce,like apples, but for the most part we buy frozen vegetables. With frozen veggies we can portion out what we'll eat for each meal and save the rest. I buy whole grain or whole wheat bread when it's on sale and it goes in the freezer.

If I were single I could easily live on $25 a week for groceries. For the 3 of us I spend between 50-75 a week.

I just got back from the grocery stores-Yep, three stores today, but this is what I got-
Aldi- 2 3packs of kiwi .99 each
Anjou Pears about 7 in a bag for $1.39 (2lb. bag) bought 2
Honey Wheat Pretzels, large container $3.99
Neufchatel $1.19 each
Romaine Hearts $1.89 (3 pack)
Spinach $.99

Now their sales change during the week, so I know the produce prices will change.

I went to Kroger and got their cottage cheese (it's my favorite) $1.99, bought three containers (ok, I'm feeding three kids and a hubby too)
1/2 gallons of 1% that were marked down to .99, Sell by date 2/20
Luna bar that I got free (catalina coupon)
1 doz. eggs that I got free (coupon that Kroger sent me in the mail for shopping so much with them)

Meijer-
Unbleached all purpose flour $1.59, I do a lot of baking
Clearance orange & yellow peppers,a bag of four peppers for less that $1.50 It seems their clearance produce is out on Sunday/Monday.
I will also get strawberries there tomorrow when I return a Redbox movie.

I watch sales, go to several stores and plan my meals around sales. Above is mainly dairy and produce that I got on sale for the week. I still need to plan meals around what I've already got in the freezer. If I find bananas on clearance, I will freeze them for muffins & smoothies and I've also chopped up peppers before for fajitas & other cooked items (you can't use them as if you were going to fresh if you freeze them.)

Blue Diamond, Kashi, Morningstar, Cascadian, Annies and several others always have coupons. I print tons of coupons to help cut the cost. Kroger doubles coupons for even more savings. And as mentioned, Aldi's has great prices on produce. I price match Aldi's at WalMart since WM is closer to me. I also stockpile and have a year supply of HBA stuffs that my only shopping expense for the month really is only food and since we have stopped eating out so much that has helped with the grocery budget too! And dont forget to buy store brands too. Just as good at a fraction of the cost. I LOVE Kroger brand CARBmaster yogurt. Yummy and low in sugar and cheaper than Dannon, Yoplait or Chobani. I put Kashi Go Lean Crunch in mine every morning!

I am always on a budget. I find that frozen vegetables are just as good. I also incorporate alot of rice and beans into my meals as those go so far and are very inexpensive. I also shop at a Safeway and they have a lot of the BOGO's so I get a lot of the fish and the chicken that they have on sale. I also do the same with the bagged lettuces. Good luck though, it isn't easy.

I am always surprised at how many people think it is expensive to eat 'healthy'. A bag of apples costs the same or less than a bag of chips. A bag of frozen veggies cost the same as a bag of frozen fries. WOW - do people not eat proper portion sizes. Our family eats healthy, we don't have a lot of money and with health issues that we need to buy for it can get costly. Priorities is what it is about.

Feeding 1 - 2 people some 'fast food' whether it is from the grocery store or a restaurant, costs more than feeding a family of 4 for 2 healthy dinners.

Get your budget done and shop the outside of the store, get some of the canned staples (beans, tomatoes, etc..) when they are on sale. Pre-make snack bags, suppers, lunches etc...

Everyone can do this - again priorities.

I agree with frozen fruits and veggies. Also, planning out each meal can really help you stay on track and not buy any extra things you won't need (at least it's helped me!) Some stores also reduce certain foods if they are close to expiring, you can stock up on those and throw them in the freezer and take them out once you need them. (When I was in the UK, the Co-op would sometimes sell seasoned uncooked chicken for 10p! and that was enough for two lunches and two dinners for my bf and me). I don't see it that much in the US, but I know they are around too. Also, store-brand isn't all that bad. You can also hunt down some coupons. I qualify for WIC and they told me about this one place that will fill up any bag you bring full of fruits and veg and there is another place that will give you enough food for four people for a week for $30. I know its a bit over your budget, but if you are making food only for yourself, then it's a great deal if they have a place in your area (angel food ministries). That's all I can think of, I hope some of it helps!

to the pictures and prices above...idk about those prices! I wish I could buy those things for such cheap prices! lol maybe each state is different but here in pa just for example you would never find grapes for 88cents along with many of those other items I would say I pay double if not triple those prices....

to the pictures and prices above...idk about those prices! I wish I could buy those things for such cheap prices! lol maybe each state is different but here in pa just for example you would never find grapes for 88cents along with many of those other items I would say I pay double if not triple those prices....

I was thinking the same thing! I understand the point that is trying to be made but some of those prices are not realistic.

bump!