Healthy eating on a budget

by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD
 

​     There are many ways to save money on your grocery bill and also eat healthier. Here are five budget-friendly shopping tips:
 
     Plan to Save Your Pennies: Meal planning and weight management go hand in hand, but meal planning can also help you save your hard-earned paycheck. Planning meals helps as you compile your grocery list and makes shopping more efficient.
     Without a plan, you’re more likely to purchase extra items or not enough – and then takeout becomes more tempting. Pro tip: Don’t shop on an empty stomach – hitting the store while hungry will push you over your budget faster than you can say “junk food.”
 
     Buy Whole Foods: It’s no secret that some foods are less expensive in a less processed form. For example, a block of cheese is cheaper than shredded cheese, and a canister of oats is less expensive than a box of instant oatmeal packets. Of course conveniently cut up fruit and portioned yogurt saves you time, but this is an area that can save you some extra dough.
    And speaking of dough – when selecting grains, like bread, choose the whole-wheat options, rather than their white counterparts. This small swap will provide you a healthier nutritional profile without spending more.
 
     Shop Smart to Fill Your Cart: At Hy-Vee, we offer our own private label That’s Smart! brand for nearly any product you can think of. Full Circle is Hy-Vee’s organic brand, which can be found in the HealthMarket.
     Store brands offer the same quality; they’re just less expensive. Be on the lookout for these and watch your savings add up.
 
     Stock Up on Sales: We all love a good deal, but it can backfire. Ask yourself: “Is this item something I’d normally buy, or am I just interested in it because it looks like a steal?” Pro tip: Make sure a product is going to last for a while (if not using soon), because it won’t save you money if you end up throwing it out later.
 
     Frozen Produce is Your Finance’s Best Friend: We all have good intentions of using the head of broccoli staring at us each time we open the fridge, but as the week goes on, unfortunately so does the quality. That’s where frozen vegetables come into play – they are convenient and an easy addition to any meal.
     The freezer is also the perfect place to house make-ahead meals, which you’ll need ample room for after attending one of our Family Friendly Freezer Meal Classes. Free up time in your week by prepping ahead in this virtual class held by one of your Hy-Vee dietitians. In under an hour, prepare five freezer meals to feed 4-6 people.
 
     Sign up for this freezer meal class by visiting hy-vee.com/health. Or reach out to your local Hy-Vee dietitian for more expert healthy budget-friendly tips.
     The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice
 
     Tara Sallee is a Hy-Vee corporate dietitian dedicated to helping people live healthier and happier lives. Tara received a Bachelor degree in dietetics and nutrition from Missouri State University. Tara went on to attend Kansas University Medical Center where she received her Master of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition and completed her dietetics internship.
     She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. With a passion for nutrition and wellness, Tara is dedicated to educating customers and promoting healthy lifestyles. .