7 tips for healthy eating on a budget!

Eating healthy can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be! Follow my tips for a slimmer waistline and smaller grocery bill.

Plan your meals for the week. When you plan ahead, you are more likely to stick to your meal plan. This keeps you away from spending money at the drive thru or at a restaurant. Most meals from a restaurant can be prepared in home for a third of the price. You also have more control of the ingredients used.

Make “Meal Prep Monday” (or Sunday) a weekly occurrence. Not only does it keep you on track with healthy eating, it’s a money saver! Plan multiple meals from the same ingredients. Enjoy marinated chicken breasts one night, then slice leftovers and add sautéed peppers for fajitas the next. Use remaining breasts to make chicken and wild rice soup for lunch!

Download local grocery store apps on your smart phone. My favorite is Kroger. You can download the free app, enter your Kroger Plus card serial number (each card is unique) and create a log in. The site tells you what’s on sale at the store at that moment! It also has a feature that allows you to download electronic coupons in seconds! The more coupons you download and redeem, the more in store coupons you receive for cash off your next order and even free items! All you have to do is have to cashier scan your card and the coupons are redeemed automatically! You even accumulate gas points that you can track and redeem automatically at the pump! I paid $0.88 per gallon on gas 2 weeks ago!!

Purchase items on sale. Check your grocery store circulars! Buy what is on sale and base your weekly meal plan around those items. Take advantage of the 5 for $5 and 10 for $10 sales!

Buy “in season” produce. In season produce is the least expensive. It is also better tasting because it is grown in its natural season.

Buy in bulk and freeze. If there is a great sale on your most purchased items, such as beef, salmon or even bananas, buy multiple! You can have your butcher chop and separate meats into smaller portions, and you can chop or peel fruits and veggies to freeze in ziplock bags. Frozen fruit is great in smoothies and protein shakes! If you really want to get ahead, make a meal in a bag. Add a meat, marinade, vegetables and herbs and seal in a freezer bag. When ready, pull out the bag, defrost and bake or add to a slow cooker.

Buy frozen veggies. Frozen vegetables are a great way to incorporate greens into our diet. They are picked at their peak, then frozen. They actually contain more nutrients than some fresh vegetables because of this reason. They are also very convenient and can usually be found for around $1.50 per bag and contain 2 or more servings.

Diane Simmons is a Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Respiratory Therapist and certified Zumba and Zumba gold instructor. Diane is a current member of ZIN (Zumba instructor network). She holds group fitness classes at 633 Salem Avenue in Roanoke, VA. Custom programs available. Online programs available. SimplyFitnessbyDiane@gmail.com Simplyfitnessbydiane.com

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