And don't think that everything is limited to frozen vegetables. Frozen fruit can be a little more difficult to work with, but it's a great choice for smoothies and can even work on some baked goods. In addition, you can stock up on frozen products in the aisle and you won't have to return to the store all week to buy more fresh produce. Who doesn't love food that's healthy, affordable and practical? Now, it goes without saying that frozen products are a good option when it comes to saving money, but what about canned ones? Canned vegetables have some enemies, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try them.
According to Food Network, canned fruits and vegetables can be absolutely as healthy (if not more so) than their fresh counterparts. Some canned vegetables may be a little mediocre (looking at you, carrots), but others are delicious. Canned corn, for example, can be added to a lot of recipes for a touch of color, and canned tomato paste is a pantry essential that's even easier to cook with than fresh tomatoes. Rice is a blank slate food, it goes well with just about anything else you have in your pantry fridge.
Pair it with beans and vegetables for a dish that's almost always delicious, or add some chicken with sauce if you want an easy, comforting meal. Moral of the story? Don't dismiss rice as an unhealthy food that doesn't fit in your cart when you're trying to feel your best. Enjoy all the foods you love in moderation, including, yes, white rice. Your taste buds will thank you.
In general, normal white pasta is going to be a little cheaper than whole wheat pasta and much less expensive than gluten-free pasta, so if that worries you, it's something you should consider when planning your budget. Otherwise, buy that pasta, pair it with a homemade sauce, add some extras (maybe canned beans? Frozen vegetables?) , and enjoy. Don't roll your eyes in disgust yet. While canned fish, such as tuna, has a bad reputation in some circles, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy some cans the next time you go to the grocery store.
First of all, canned tuna is packed with protein, and as WebMD points out, tuna is one of the best food sources of vitamin D. Most cans of tuna are also cheap. Since it's a non-perishable food, you don't have to worry about it being wasted before you can get it. And while it may not taste amazing on its own, it's delicious when combined with other ingredients, such as pasta.
Canned tuna is also a great addition to a quick salad. We prefer the flavor of canned tuna in oil, but it's usually cheaper when stored in water. Of course, you can always try other types of canned fish, such as salmon or sardines. These options can also be part of a healthy diet.
However, keep in mind that this type of fish can be more expensive than tuna. Eggs are great for breakfast, of course, but don't limit yourself to one full meal of eggs a day. They can be included in a lot of different recipes and offer a lot of protein, so they're a no-brainer when it comes to healthy shopping on a budget. You can serve them on their own with breakfast, add them to a salad for more flavor, or even use them in baking.
Whether you're shopping on a budget or not, eggs are a staple in many people's kitchens. Some people are concerned that eating too many eggs could be harmful to their health, and we fully understand the concern. Eggs are high in cholesterol, but according to the Mayo Clinic, the cholesterol found in eggs doesn't seem to be harmful to human health, unlike the cholesterol found in many other animal foods. Eating up to seven eggs a week shouldn't be a problem for most people, so be sure to buy a dozen eggs the next time you go shopping.
Don't be afraid to change it. If you normally buy minced meat, hold it up for chicken or turkey for a week. You might find that the change offers a little more excitement in your diet. Because ground beef contains a lot of protein, this addition to your meals will help you stay full for longer.
If you're really trying to save money, use beans for protein and use just a little meat for flavor. One of the most abundant foods you can find in the supermarket and, therefore, one of the most cost-effective foods is potatoes. They're high in calories and carbohydrates, but that doesn't mean you have to eliminate them from a healthy diet. Rather, it just means that they should be consumed in moderation.
Healthline even explains that potatoes offer a wide variety of health benefits. Not only are they full of the nutrients we need to survive, but they also have many antioxidants and the ability to help the digestive system due to their resistance at first. What if you follow a gluten-free diet? They are the natural pasta substitute you were looking for. However, flour is a staple in many people's diets and is one of the most cost-effective ingredients you can buy in the supermarket.
The only problem? It usually requires a bit of prep work. However, if you have some free time and don't mind spending it in the kitchen, having flour on hand is always a good idea. Of course, you can use it to make homemade bread, pasta and other baked goods. But it can also be used as a thickener in many recipes.
While you might not think of flour as a healthy food, in and of itself, it can help you prepare healthy foods that you wouldn't otherwise want to search for. When creating your shopping list, it can be helpful to divide it into sections, such as starchy and non-starchy vegetables, fruits, beans and grains, nuts and seeds, proteins, frozen foods, dairy products and non-dairy substitutes, beverages, condiments, and miscellaneous items. Start by filling your cart along the perimeter of the store with fruits, vegetables, proteins and other perishable items from your list. Then, head to the inner aisles to buy products such as nuts, whole grains, and canned goods.
Eating a wide variety of whole fruits and vegetables will help ensure that you get the essential nutrients your body needs to feel and perform at your best. Choosing whole foods, rather than juices or sauces, will provide the added benefit of fiber. If your budget is limited, you may want to buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. They tend to be more reasonably priced because the supply is greater and it is not necessary to send them that far.
You can also buy in bulk and freeze the extras before they go bad for later use. .
