Food Shopping on a Budget

These savvy shopping tips will help with your food shopping budget without compromising quality, taste, or nutritional value for the kids.

Eating healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive! While it may be a time-saver, resist the appeal of convenience and try these tactics instead. There are many different ways to save money, so choose one of these budget tips to get started. Once you feel like you’ve mastered one, try another!

Turn your focus to plant-based proteins.

Fill the kids’ plates with a variety of vegetables and plant-based protein from tofu, beans, whole grains or nuts, and use animal-based proteins as the accent. Buying more plant-based proteins instead of meats saves you money and have many health benefits.

Buy foods whole.

Whole and unprepared foods tend to be more affordable than their conveniently packaged counterparts (like chopped carrots or peeled oranges). Buy whole fruits, vegetables, and even blocks of cheese, and prep them up yourself at home. You’ll be surprised what you could make for under $60 for a family of five in 7 days!

Try making your own grab n’ go snack bags! Once you prep your fruits and veggies, create your own snack bags with combinations of your family’s favorite fruits and vegetables.

Browse the bulk bins for staples.

Buying food in bulk is usually cheaper than pre-packaged goods. You can easily stock up on staples such as beans, lentils, grains, oatmeal, dried fruits, and nuts. Buying in bulk also creates less packaging waste, so it’s more eco-friendly! Store your bulk items in airtight containers until it’s time to dish them out.

TIP: A quick and easy trail mix can be made by mixing nuts (walnuts pack an extra heart-healthy punch!), seeds, dried fruit, and oats from the bulk bins. The possibilities are endless. Here’s an example of a simple and cost-friendly trail mix idea:

• 1 lb. of dry-roasted & unsalted almonds ($4.99 at Whole Foods)
• 1 lb. of organic currants ($4.39 at Whole Foods)
• 1 lb. of organic sunflower seeds ($4.89 at Whole Foods)

Shop seasonally.

Look for fruits and veggies that are in season and keep your eye out for sales at the supermarket. Seasonal foods are usually more wallet-friendly. Find a local farmer’s market and visit it at least once a season to get an idea of what’s being grown nearby. You can also use this as a time to compare prices between the farmer’s market and the grocery store.

Be a critical consumer.

Keep in mind that item placement in grocery stores is intentional and a tactic that food companies use to get you to buy their products. You’ve likely heard to shop in the perimeter of the grocery store, which is one way to stay focused and avoid the influence of certain processed foods. The more aware of food marketing you become, the more you can build up your willpower to avoid any unnecessary spontaneous purchases.

Plant some seeds.

Starting a garden isn’t always practical, but it’s easy to grow your own windowsill herbs. Purchasing fresh herbs can be expensive, so growing your own will save you money and can be a fun family project!

If you have the extra space and motivation, test out your green thumb on some leafy greens or vegetables! Zucchini and tomatoes are great plants to start with – you can even grow them in pots on your porch!

Seek out store-brand savings.

Opt for “generic” store brand items rather than their more expensive name-brand counterparts. Look for these store brands: Market Pantry (Target), Great Value (Walmart), Signature Kitchen (Vons), Sprouts Brand (Sprouts Farmers Market), Kirkland Signature (Costco), and Trader Joe’s brand items at TJ’s. You can also check out the Dollar Store, Smart & Final, and Grocery Outlet for discounted prices! Here’s a side-by-side comparison of what a few store-brand staples will cost you from different chain grocery stores.

100% Whole Wheat Bread

Brown Rice

Oatmeal

Frozen Berries 

Note: Product availability may vary, and prices reflect those listed at the time the article was written.