There are a lot of ways to save on costs today while preserving the integrity of your diet. Quiche is a great low-cost meal that can be made more healthful by adding veggies and low-fat cheese and using a whole wheat crust. It’s a great source of protein and calcium. Another low-cost meal is a chicken, vegetable-rice casserole made with reduced-fat soup, California frozen vegetables, brown rice, chopped onion, and leftover chicken or canned white meat chicken.
Here are some other cost-saving tips:
- Buy produce that is in season. For example, buying apples locally when they are in season is less expensive, and much more environmentally friendly, than buying ones that have been shipped across the country.
- Be sure to go grocery shopping with a list and to coordinate the list to your weekly menu so you don’t fall prey to impulse items.
- Avoid buying too many snack foods, even if they are on sale.
- Always compare unit price stickers on different brands of the same food. Sometimes the ingredients are almost identical, and no-name brands offer good cost savings.
- Choose dry beans over canned beans, and don’t forget brown rice – it costs less in bulk and offers a good source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- When you see a healthy staple on sale, stock up – just don’t over-stock to avoid expiration before use.
- Here are more great ways to save with Feeding Your Family for Less
