Let's face it I have never seen something healthy on a 99 cent menu....It can be expensive to eat healthy! The number one post I see on weight watchers facebook page is many can't afford to go. So I felt a huge need to see how we can stretch our dollar further and purchase healthy foods....cheaper! So how can we watch our wallets as well as our waistline?
When I do research for the snack cupboard and check out nutritional information I come across coupons on the manufacturer's websites. Progresso Soup has a dollar off today on their website. Skinny Cow and Laughing Cow have coupons all the time. Check the brands you buy before you go to the grocery store.
Okay how else can we save? Lets look at the price of some specific foods, some of my favorite food stretchers are:
Eggs: Instead of expensive chicken, fish or beef for dinner, why not cook up a veggie omelet or frittata. An egg-cellent source of protein and the antioxidant lutein (for healthy eyes, skin, and heart), one large egg contains 75 calories and 6 grams of protein. Boil up a few and store them in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go snack. A dozen large eggs range from $1.50 to $3.20. If you buy them in 1.5 dozen packs or larger (bulk warehouses sell seven to eight dozen packs), you’ll pay even less per egg. If that’s too many eggs for your fridge basket, split them with a friend.
Oats: The large canisters of plain rolled oats — not those single-serving, sugary ones — will give you the most for your dollar. One serving of oatmeal (made from a half-cup of dry oats) contains 150 calories, 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of cholesterol-friendly fiber — all that for a mere 30 cents. Dress up your oatmeal with any budget-friendly fruits. Add rolled oats to your smoothie for a little extra fiber.
Canned Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes can cost you a pretty penny depending on the time of year. But you can still get plenty of the antioxidants vitamin C and lycopene from the canned varieties. The larger the can, the more you’ll save. A 48-ounce can of crushed tomatoes costs around $1.50 (that’s 5 cents per ounce!). Add crushed tomatoes to soups, stews, chili and pasta dishes.
Non-Fat Yogurt: Full of calcium and a good protein source, this creamy treat is an easy breakfast or on-the-go snack. But the real superstars in yogurt are those healthy, live bacteria called probiotics. They help your body fight off bad bacteria and keep your digestive system in tip-top shape. Choose yogurt made with skim milk and without sugar substitutes. The generic brands cost less, especially if you find them in large 32-ounce tubs. They will save you 20% for the same amount in single-serve containers. Choose plain yogurt and top with your favorite add-ins — raisins, chunks of fruit or even fiber one cereal.
Oranges: Add affordable fruits to your weekly shopping list — oranges, apples, and bananas. In season now are vitamin C-rich oranges, so you’ll find them at the best price (about 50 cents each). In the fall, fill your cart up with fresh apples. You’ll find bananas at a great price year-round (I’ve recently seen them at 19 cents each). Use these bargain fruits as snacks and cereal toppers (as opposed to some of the more pricey berries and tropical fruits). Frozen bananas also make a tasty addition to healthy fruit smoothies.
Also don't forget to check the weekly ads (you can also find those online) and stock up your pantry and freezer!
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