Four is perfect for making your own bread, pizza dough, pastries, etc. Sugar is another one of those ingredients essential for baking, but it can also be used in plenty of ways. A bag of sugar is typically very inexpensive and has a long shelf life, making it an excellent option for those on a tight budget.
A loaf of bread provides dozens of servings and can be used for everything from sandwiches and croutons to bread pudding and French toast.
Tortillas are an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget. They can be served as a main entree with many types of meat, used as a wrap for sandwiches, or even made into chips. Oats are one of the cheapest food additions to any diet. They are also very versatile: you can enjoy oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, add them to baked goods like muffins or cookies, or even use them as a topping for savory dishes like chicken or fish.
If you want an inexpensive way to add variety to your cheap grocery list, consider picking up a few tea boxes in different flavors. From Earl Grey to chamomile, there is a tea flavor for everyone. Tea is not only a great way to relax at the end of the day, but it can also help you stay hydrated and save some money on expensive sodas and coffees.
When buying peanut butter, look for natural brands that contain only peanuts and salt as the main ingredients. Avoid brands that contain added sugar, oils, or other unhealthy additives. Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you. They are an affordable way to enjoy out-of-season produce that can also be used to make great sweets.
Canned tomatoes are one of the best-canned items to buy when broke. They can be used to make homemade tomato soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and salsa.
You can even blend canned tomatoes to make sauce rather than buying jarred sauces, saving you more money at many grocery stores. Fruits and vegetables are the best cheap foods to buy, especially in season and from your local farms.
With a little bit of meal planning, you can save some money on your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or taste.
When it comes to putting together a cheap grocery list, you want to add apples to it! They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season.
Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp.
When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count.
Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes. Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven.
Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium. Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:.
Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile. You can also use it to make wraps more healthy. Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things.
They are an excellent source of vitamin c for the kiddos too. Carrots are often used in a stir-fry with peppers, as it helps to retain their nutrients while also giving them a slightly crispy texture.
I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish. One of the most popular meal ideas for using peppers is stir fry, but you can add them to your pasta sauce or tacos or make stuffed peppers.
You can get them in a pack of frozen vegetables to get a little bit of everything for a bunch of different meal ideas, or buy them fresh on their own. Celery is also one of the most healthy cheap foods to buy — a great option for budget-minded shoppers.
This crunchy, low-calorie vegetable contains nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Some of our favorites include sweet potato fries, green beans, and carrots. Plus, you should grab a stir-fry mix for some variety. You can also save some money by buying frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit.
Some brands add sugar or other ingredients to their frozen fruit, so be sure to read the label before you buy. A few items will always be super cheap, no matter when you buy them. Potatoes fit the bill perfectly for an item to buy when broke and looking for cheaper foods with several meal ideas.
You can do many things with potatoes. One meal idea is a baked potato with whatever you want on top of it, like cheese, broccoli, and chicken. When it comes to stocking your pantry on a budget, proteins are often one of the most expensive items on your grocery list.
Eggs can be used in a variety of dishes or by themselves. They are one of the cheapest foods to buy, especially when compared to other protein sources like meat or tofu. Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, or made into an omelet, and they go well with various other ingredients. Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry.
Ground meat is a cheap source of protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to meatloaves, and it is typically very budget-friendly.
When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date. These products will be discounted and still fresh and safe to eat. One of the cheapest foods to buy is ground turkey. Plus, freeze ground turkey when you find good sales.
Sausage is an affordable and delicious option for your cheap grocery list that can be used in everything from breakfast dishes to dinner casseroles. If you are looking for meal ideas, consider using sausage in a frittata, omelet, or quiche.
You can also add it to pasta, rice, or soups. For example, you could slowly cook it in a crockpot or Instant Pot for pulled beef sandwiches or tacos or simply dice it for beef stew.
No matter how you prepare it, chuck roast is delicious and affordable meat to add to your meal-planning ideas! Chicken thighs are another great source of protein and are usually one of the cheapest foods to buy- even cheaper than chicken breasts.
You can cook them almost the same as you would chicken breasts, including cutting the meat from the bone to add it to soups or casseroles. Bologna is one of the cheapest foods to buy. You can put it in sandwiches, dice it up and add it to salads, or even fry it up as a main dish.
Bologna is also made in different ways, so you can try various brands to suit your taste. Check the nutrition label before you buy, as some varieties can be high in fat and sodium. Hot dogs are one of the cheapest foods to buy that your kids will love, and you can cook them quickly for nights on the go.
You can enjoy hot dogs plain or dress them up with your favorite toppings. Canned fish, like tuna or salmon, is a cheap but nutritious option for your grocery list.
Canned fish is better to buy when broke, and you can make cheap meals like tuna salad or casserole in a flash. Canned chicken is an excellent option for those looking for the cheapest groceries that are also healthy. This protein-rich food can be used in various ways, from chicken salad sandwiches to casseroles.
While the quality and taste of canned chicken can vary, some brands offer a good product at a reasonable price. Anyone who has ever gone grocery shopping knows that dairy products are not some of the cheapest groceries to buy.
Milk is a staple in many households, but it can be expensive at many grocery stores. There are a few ways to save on milk for the budget-conscious shopper. Another way to save some money is to buy milk in larger containers and plan to use it all rather than waste it.
A gallon of milk costs less per ounce than a half-gallon, so buying more saves you more. Today, many of us are living on a budget and looking for ways to reduce food expenses. With these tips, you can save money while still enjoying tasty, nutritious meals. Reviewed by Tami Best, MS, RDN, CDN, IFNCP , a Certified Registered Dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching specializing in gastrointestinal issues and mental health modifications.
Eating a healthy diet is crucial to your mental and emotional health as well as your physical wellbeing. It can make a huge difference to your mood, energy, waistline, and how well you think and feel. But at a time when so many of us are out of work, facing an uncertain financial future, or living on a tight budget, finding food that is both wholesome and affordable can be a challenge.
Along with a lack of time, having a limited budget is one the major barriers to eating a healthy diet. Convenience foods are often tasty and filling, designed to trigger the pleasure-centers in the brain and causing you to want to eat more, often to the point of overeating.
They also tend to be loaded with calories, sugar, and preservatives, and lacking in essential nutrients. And despite what you may have been lead to believe, eating processed and fast food is rarely cheaper than eating healthy, home-cooked meals.
The pleasure of eating even the simplest of meals increases when you share it with other people. Whether you cook for the whole family or live alone, you can find ways to make inexpensive meals more enjoyable—and more beneficial to your health and wellness—by making them more social experiences.
Shop with others. Getting your kids involved in shopping for groceries and preparing meals is a great opportunity to teach them about different foods, how to read food labels, and how to balance a budget. Alternatively, shopping with a friend or roommate can give you a chance to catch up without falling behind on your chores.
Make mealtimes a social experience. The simple act of talking to a friend or loved one over the dinner table can play a big role in relieving stress and boosting mood. If you live alone, invite a friend, coworker, or neighbor over. One prepares the entrée, the other dessert, for example.
Cooking with others can be a fun way to deepen relationships. Splitting the costs can make it cheaper for both of you and being in the company of others can also help you avoid overeating out of boredom or loneliness. Saving money on food involves revising your shopping habits, eliminating waste, and focusing on healthier choices—and that can require a little planning ahead.
There are a number of websites and smartphone apps that can help you create and track a budget for food and groceries. Or you can simply start with a well-thought-out shopping list.
Sticking to a shopping list to help avoid impulse buys. Plan on eating out less. But a meal for two at a fast-food restaurant in the U. Preparing a simple, healthy beef stew or roast chicken with vegetables, for example, can cost a fraction of that and leave you with leftovers as well.
Create your shopping list. As you prepare meals throughout the week, make a note of food and supplies you need. Check your cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer to see what you already have and make a note of any upcoming expiration dates.
Keep a supply of staples. These include such ingredients as olive oil, flour, old-fashioned oats, nuts, seeds, frozen vegetables and fruit, dried herbs and spices, pasta, brown rice, stock cubes, and canned tomatoes, beans, and fish.
Find cheap and healthy recipes. Try to think of foods that are versatile yet nutritious. For example, combining foods in different bowls and creating different sauces and seasonings can add variety and interest to your meals. Brown rice topped with black beans, corn, salsa, and chili-lime seasoning or sauce creates an inexpensive and easy Mexican dish.
An easy switch-up could be to use the same rice, but with edamame, cubed chicken, and soy or stir-fry sauce for a balanced meal with an Asian flare. Try to eliminate unhealthy foods from your list, such as soda, cookies, crackers, prepackaged meals, and processed foods.
These foods are packed with unhealthy ingredients and offer little in the way of nutrition. These junk foods can also often cost you much more than the price on the sticker.
A poor diet can take a toll on your health and lead to increased medical and drug bills as well as reduced energy and productivity.
Choose whole foods. Convenience foods can save you time, but will cost you more. For example, buying a block of cheese and slicing or grating it yourself is cheaper than buying processed cheese slices or bags of grated cheese—and helps you avoid additives to prevent caking, etc. Similarly, buying a head of lettuce and washing and chopping it yourself is cheaper than purchasing bagged salad—and will often stay fresher for longer.
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits and veggies are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts and still taste good, but are often less expensive.
They'll also last longer than fresh fruits and vegetables, preventing expensive food waste. If you have freezer room, the largest frozen bags tend to offer the best value.
When you shop at conventional grocery stores, the store or generic brand will often be cheaper than the name brand for the same quality product. Look for simple ways to save money throughout the day. Instead of picking up a morning coffee on your way to work or school, for example, make your coffee at home.
Instead of buying breakfast or lunch, prepare your own using leftovers or home-made salads, sandwiches, or boiled eggs. Buy in bulk. Buying non-perishable items, such as dried beans and canned fish, in bulk can save you money as well as shopping time.
If you have the space, you can store bulk-bought grains and cereals in airtight containers and freeze perishable items, such as meat and bread, in smaller portions to use as needed.
Alternatively, you can split them with a friend—saving you both money. Shop for produce in season and buy by the bag. When produce is in season it is at its cheapest, as well as its tastiest and most nutritious. Look for whole grains. Whole, unprocessed grains such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa are often less expensive than their processed alternatives sugar-laden cereals, white rice, and white bread and contain little to no harmful added sugar and refined flour.
Drink water instead of soda. While organically grown food reduces the potential health and environmental hazards posed by pesticides, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and additives, it can often cost more than conventionally grown food.
However, there can still be ways to enjoy the higher quality and stay within your budget:. Opt for locally grown food. Some small local farmers use organic methods but aren't certified organic due to the cost involved.
Be selective. Some fruits and vegetables have more chemical residue than others. Generally, if you eat the skin such as apples, strawberries, cucumbers choose organic.
For produce such as bananas, pineapple, or avocados, stick to cheaper, conventionally grown items. Compare prices. Having an organic label on baked goods, desserts, and snacks might make them sound healthier, but even organic processed foods are still high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories.
Always read the labels carefully. The neighborhood grocery store is not the only place to shop. Sometimes other venues can offer significantly cheaper ways to purchase healthy food.
Discount stores. Warehouse or club stores like Costco offer great bargains for seasonal produce, and foods such as chicken and cheese. To avoid waste, freeze large portions in smaller, more manageable sizes.
Search out Farmers' Markets. Many places host weekly farmers' markets where local farmers sell fresh food directly, often cheaper than the grocery store. Towards the end of the market, some vendors sell remaining perishable items at a discount.
Join a CSA community supported agriculture group. A CSA is a great way to have local, seasonal food delivered directly from a farmer. Buying clubs can also help make grocery shopping a more social experience. Ethnic markets and corner stores are worth looking into. Many feature an impressive, affordable selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as other products.
Online retailers. There are plenty of websites available that offer grocery deliveries—which can save you plenty of time and in some cases also money.
Some online retailers offer discounted rates over traditional grocery stores while others such as Thrive Market in the U.
also focus on healthy, non-processed foods. Always factor in any delivery charges or membership fees when comparing prices.
Shop the perimeter of the store first. Eat a healthy snack before shopping. Take advantage of sales. If you have the shelf or freezer space, stock up on staples or products that you use often when they go on sale. Be smart about coupons. Your body relies on protein for many of its functions.
Affording some meat and fish sources of protein, though, can put a real strain on your food budget. By making a few dietary adjustments, you can save money and still enjoy plenty of protein in your diet.
Purchase less expensive cuts of meat by comparing the price per pound on different options. Try using chicken thighs rather than breasts, or stewing beef rather than a prime cut of steak to make tasty casseroles, soups, stews, and stir-fries.
Bulk out meat dishes with other ingredients. Add rice, pasta, fresh or frozen vegetables, beans, or whole grains to meat to make delicious, filling meals.
Combine ground meat with black beans in tacos, for example, add whole grains to meatloaf, or add lots of veggies to a chicken stir fry. Experiment with vegetarian sources of protein.
Unprocessed veggie proteins, such as soy, tofu, beans, and lentils, can be tasty, easy to prepare, and inexpensive. Eggs are not just for breakfast.
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