Everyone is looking for ways to save money these days.  Of course, Let’s Dish! can help with healthy meals at very reasonable prices.  But even if you’re a regular disher, you probably find yourself shopping for some meals at the grocery store.  You’re already saving at Let’s Dish!… you can also save at the grocery store by doing a little pre-planning.  Here are some tips to help:

•    Plan your meals out for the week and make a list.  Try to use several recipes that have similar ingredients.  For   example, if you have a recipe that uses 2 tbsp of chopped red onion, choose another recipe that uses the rest of that red onion.  This helps eliminates waste.

•    Use the grocery store circular or go to their website for the latest sales and coupons when you are planning your menus.  Don’t forget that most stores will price match.

•    Go meatless 1-2 times per week.  Beans and peas are a great source of protein and cost less than buying meat.  Use them in tacos, chili, or with rice.  You can replace meat with beans in many recipes.

•    Try store brands.  Many of the store brands are just as good as the name brands and much cheaper.  Give them a try and make note of whether they do or do not hold up to the quality of the name brand products.

•    Skip high calorie snack foods like chips, cookies, microwave popcorn, etc.  Instead, buy seasonal fruit or canned fruit packed in its own juice, popcorn kernels that you pop on the stove yourself, or make your own dried fruit and nut mix.  Be creative with healthy snacks and don’t rely on the manufacturers to do it for you.

•    Buy frozen vegetables (without the sauces!).  Frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh vegetables.  They have the same nutrient value and don’t go bad as quickly as fresh vegetables.

•    Check the unit prices for items you buy in bulk or family size.  Make sure the bigger package is really saving you money.

•    Look on the top and bottom shelves to compare prices.  Stores often put the most expensive items at eye level.

•    Avoid last minute purchases at the checkout line.  Your favorite stars will still be there next week and you don’t really need that candy bar!

Catherine Joiner
Cardiac Clinical Dietitian

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