Hey Friends! How’s it goin?
Back when I was first starting out in healthy eating one of my biggest concerns was cost. I’d always equated healthy foods with a higher price tag because of what I’d seen around the grocery.
You know what I mean: brand name foods with sugar free, low carb, gluten free or natural claims that sell for 5 times the regular price. Once I figured out that eating healthy was more about whole, fresh foods than the number of calories or the sugar content, things got a little easier…and cheaper.
I ditched most of the processed ‘healthy’ foods and watched my grocery bill drop while the amount of food I actually got increased. Probably one of the best feelings ever.
It isn’t always easy and I do occasionally slip up. But there are five things I always do when grocery shopping to ensure I get the biggest nutritional bang for my buck.
1. Plan
There’s nothing worse than getting home from the grocery only to realise you already have everything you bought. Or getiing home with a lot of good stuff that could never come together to form a meal.
This happened to me at least 3 times before I wisened up and started carrying a grocery list with me. I know there are different apps and task managers to help keep track but paper and pen generally work best for me.
2. Avoid the Aisles
When I first started grocery shopping on my own I’d spend all my time (and money!) in the cereal and cookie aisles. It took me a while to realise that not only were those foods bad for my body, but they were probably the biggest financial drains.
Now if I feel for something like cookies or granola I get the ingredients to make my own instead of buying the ready made stuff. Even buying healthy things like pre-made salads, pre-washed veggies and pre-cut fruit can get expensive, so I avoid those too and just do the extra prep myself. I still venture into the aisles for things like oats and flour but my best advice is: Don’t browse when you’re in the aisles.
3. Buy in Bulk
Since I started buying whole food instead of processed foods Bulk Barn and the bulk baking supplies store in my neighbourhood have become my wallet’s best friends. I’ve shared a list of 10 things you should always buy in bulk on the blog before, so I won’t get into that now. But, I will say that I stock up on them every so often and generally don’t have to think about them for about a month. Plus, my bill is usually under $20 and I end up with a lot of food.
4. Shop Around
I mentioned this in my post on mistakes all students make when grocery shopping, but really, a lot of people do this. We go to only one place and try to get everything from fruit to bread to meat there. But, although it may be a little inconvenient, it’s usually a lot cheaper to buy different things in different places.
Farmers’ Markets, for example, are a great place to get reasonably priced fruits and veggies. I even get my maple syrup and honey there because it’s cheaper. And, like I said before, a lot of things are cheaper if you buy them in bulk food stores. Even different groceries can have different prices on different days. Don’t be afraid to look around for the best price.
5. Stay in Season
Fruits and vegetables that are not in season tend to be a lot more expensive. You should familiarise yourself with what’s in season when so that you can make more informed decisions.
Unfortunately this is easier said than done since there are so many different fruits and vegetables. I generally use this site to figure out what’s in season in Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer and year-round. Then I just plan my meals and grocery lists accordingly.
What about you?
What tips and tricks do you have for healthy food shopping on a budget? Do you use a meal plan/grocery list? Or buy in bulk?
Share in the comments below!
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Great post! So hard for newbies when it comes to meal planning and how to get used to making new purchases of a different value. I am going to share this on my LIKE page. 🙂
Kayla recently posted…Death By Towel
‘Making new purchases of a different value’ I totally love how you worded it and it’s so true!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
I try to go to the Farmer’s Market in Kitchener every saturday morning. Fruits & veggies are so much cheaper there, and I get the added advantage of supporting local farmers.
Awesome tip! I keep meaning to go and never make it but I think I’ll get more serious about actually going when it gets warmer 🙂
THE BULK SECTION IS AMAZING!!!! I remember discovering it YEARS AGO but then for some reason forgot about it, but once again became introduced! You can get a pound of salt for 50 CENTS!!!! That’s a lot of salt that will last FOREVER!!! LOL!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted…Food Foolery!
Haha if I ever need a pound of salt I know where to go lol
Thanks for the links for seasonable produce. Where’s the best place to buy bulk?? I think that’s the key that I’ve been missing. I really enjoy farmer’s markets and finally grew an appreciation for Trader Joe’s, lol.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Fight for Air Stair Climb Philly Recap
Hey Janelle, I’m actually not sure what bulk stores you have in the US. But most natural food stores have some sort of bulk foods section so maybe you can start there…
If you find one please let me know so I can add it to the post! 😀
Great tips – thanks for sharing!
Ree recently posted…homemade dog food
Thanks for the tips! I have been trying to be more intentional and healthy when grocery shopping.
Aimee @ Captivating Corner Blog recently posted…Don’t let anyone or anything dull your sparkle! {Product Review}
Glad they’re useful Aimee! And good luck 🙂
Great tips! One of the most satisfying things is getting home from a trip to Aldi and unloading tons of veggies and realizing I only spent $40-60. It makes me so happy! There are still some things I haven’t sprung for, like quinoa – I think I’ll have to go bulk on that one like you suggested. Great tips, thanks so much for sharing!
Kristin recently posted…{Healthy} Tips and Tricks Tuesday #34
My teenaged self would cringe at how satisfying I find a low grocery billed filled with healthy stuff to be haha
Also, I never buy quinoa anywhere but at a bulk store because it’s wayyyy too expensive otherwise!
And my husband watches the food flyers every week too so we know what’s on sale and can plan accordingly. Great tips!
Elle recently posted…Easter Sunday Run Day and April 5 by the 5th
These are great tips! I always try to buy what’s in season but my local grocery store has the WORST produce selection EVER! I often have to travel 40 minutes away to get quality fresh food! Boo!
Annmarie recently posted…Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Kozy Shack® Simply Well® Pudding
I also compare prices at my fav stores (Trader Joe’s always seems to win.. 😉 ) and tend to buy the bulk of my groceries at whichever place is less expensive for their organic selections (Whole Foods is ALWAYS WAY more expensive than TJ’s! ALWAYS!)
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Rock Your Core April Challenge- Week 2 | Workouts, Recipes, PRIZES!
I always do better when I meal plan but sometimes life gets in the way.
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes: Terry Bikes Hoodie Review, “Exercises I Have Ditched” Fave Podcasts and #wywyc
This is great! I’m a huge menu planner. Every Sunday, I sit down to plan the meals for the week. If I don’t, we end up spending a lot more money on food–and ordering more carry out too. I keep the menus in a little notebook so I can refer back to them if I need ideas.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Running happy
I’ve recently started doing meal plans for the week and they are awesome with helping cut my grocery budget. I use to go in and buy a few veggies, a cereal, & yogurt. Now I’ve got a delicious and healthy variety.
Leslie recently posted…Happy Calm Focused
Great tips lady!
Buying in bulk is good because you can get just what you need!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Cajun Stuffed Bell Peppers
Thanks for the tips! I’ve been shopping at Aldi for most of my produce. I’ve also recently found Meijer’s discounted produce rack of things about to expire! I’m gonna take advantage of that and freeze what I don’t use.
Jaime recently posted…Blog a Day Challenge Day 6: Something that Makes Me Crazy
Avoiding the packaged healthy junk and meal planning are such great tips!
it gets boring by the end of the week, but I really like to make one pot of something and eat it for dinners. It’s much easier to plan and cooking one meal for 4 will do me until Friday 🙂
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Motivate Me Monday: 4/6
Coming home from the store and realizing that you forgot something is the worst. And if you have to make a second trip to the store, you’ll likely buy more, which is why I always make a list before I head to the store, and try to stick to it.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…April 2015 Monthly Goals
I’ve actually never gone back if I forget something lol. It’s such a hassle to get there in the first place I usually just try to make do without it. Hence why grocery lists are my best friends haha
#2 for sure!!! and I never know what’s in each aisle anymore – that’s a good thing.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Weekend Update: Time to Unplug
Haha no ignorance is bliss when it comes to the food I’m the aisles right? Lol
Great money-saving ideas! I same SO much by buying my spices in bulk.
Marcia recently posted…Eggshell Shuffle Race Report
Great tips! I love this topic, so much I write about it on my blog each Monday. 🙂 One other way I save is by buying my meat through a coop. Buying straight from the ranches saves a lot!
Lisa Sharp recently posted…Freezer Meal Recipes and Tips
I don’t think there’s a coop near me, but I be definitely heard good things about them from people who are a part of one!
Excellent tips! I’m all about shopping that perimeter. Fresh food, unprocessed food for the win!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…#RockYourCore Challenge Week 2
Weirdly enough, the perimeter at my grocery has a lot of processed foods :/ I have to go into the aisles for a lot of unprocessed foods.
Great tips! I’d throw in buying frozen veggies/fruit if you live in a place where fresh produce doesn’t always provide the greatest selection and/or is astronomically expensive!
Farrah recently posted…Alcohol Abuse
Oh, that’s a good one!
Awesome tips Giselle – and by skipping the aisles, you also get to MAKE ALL THE FOOD! Which is my favorite part. I need to get better at measuring out the bulk items though< i always buy too much!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Veggie Burgers: Spring Edition
Same! I’ve started using the scales at bulk barn and I seem to be doing better at not buying out the entire bin of food haha
Great tips, especially the buying in season tip. 😉
Great tips! You can save serious $ just by avoiding the aisles.
jill conyers recently posted…The Ultimate Health and Fitness Getaway
There’s a lot of processed foods in the perimeter of my new grocery, but for the most part it works!
Great tips, lady! I think my biggest one would be to avoid the temptation of buying all those fancy superfood powders like maca, lucuma, mesquite, etc. I spent a small fortune on those kinds of things when I was just starting out because I thought that I needed them, but I may have used them once and they ended up just sitting around and cluttering up my pantry…
Amanda @ .running with spoons.com recently posted…. cinnamon roll sugar cookies .
Oh yea. I’m the same way with my protein powder. I used to use it everyday but now I’ve got two different flavors just kinda sitting around and collecting dust :/
Great tips! Now… to only STICK to the budget once I make the list and do the research. 😉
rachel recently posted…Flexibility + Compromise = Adventure
Great tips! I try to do all of these too. I also find having meal plans helps me buy less things as well.
I’ve saved money by cutting back on pre-chopped produce such as onions, peppers, and packaged lettuce. Sometimes the time saved is worth the extra money, but it’s also pretty easy to dice up a bunch of your own stuff and have it ready to go in your fridge. Super basic, but that pre-chopped stuff is so tempting and adds up.
Mandy recently posted…First We Form Habits, Then They Form Us
Looks like we were on similar brainwaves with our posts!
These are great tips and I definitely do all of these. Planning is so key, otherwise I would just buy everything at the store lol. And I’m a big fan of DIY foods. Every time I think about buying something from a box/jar/package etc I think about whether the effort of making it myself is worth the savings – and it usually is!
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…10 ways to save money on groceries
Great tips! Tips #1, #2 and #3 changed the way I shopped. I was never taught how to shop and just did it haphazardly picking up what I saw. Planning and avoiding the aisles really saved me a lot of extra cash not to mention time wandering around there.
Marj recently posted…Using the Healing Benefits of the Sun to Get Healthier
I could really use these tips next time I buy in the grocery. Especially tip #5. I try to stock lots of healthy nuts and dried fruit.
Jane recently posted…The Bittersweet Truth: Sneaky Healthy Foods High in Sugar
these were nice tips to buy grosseries…if you wanna check out what summer fruits you should buy u can see that.
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NILOY recently posted…Hello world!
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sojib recently posted…Tenstorrent Inc.