How to Save Big Bucks on Quality Groceries
Thanks to Sheri in Orlando who e-mailed this question: "I am trying to get in shape and I really enjoyed your Kardio Kick Fit Class at Paramount Health Club but I was wondering how to save on groceries while still eating healthy food? I was hoping that you might have some tips on that." Sincerely, SheriThanks for the question Sheri as a husband and a parent I have learned a lot about keeping my food buying to a budget. So I needed to learn how to eat like a Champion on a Contender's budget.
Here are my Top 12 Tips for saving your hard earned money when buying healthy food...not all of these might be applicable to you, but surely some will...
1. Check the discount section in the meat department of your supermarket grocery store. Items might be reduced by 50%. They are usually close to the "best before" date and must be consumed in the next few days or frozen.
2. Shop in China town, wherever that may be. Fish, and shellfish, are usually 50% cheaper. Meat too, and you can get the bones for soup. Green vegetables are also less expensive there, and you can find many varieties of veg that can't be found in the supermarket.
3. Find the grocery supermarkets that cater to ethnic enclaves, such as Eastern European, Somalian and Ethiopian. I don't know why but the price for meats is usually lower, and you can find the more unusual cuts, soup bones, organ meats, liver, etc.
4. For rice, shop at the ethnic stores that cater to Asians. Prices are much lower.
5. Buy spices at the health food bulk store, or even better, ethnic Indian or Pakistani grocery stores; much, much less expensive than the small glass jars at the supermarket. Spices can add a lot of flavor to any bland low fat or low carb recipe.
6. If you have access to a farmers' market, the food is usually fresher. Even better if you can go to a 'pick your own' place. Not only are prices lower but food quality is higher, so better value for money.
7. Try to eat what's in season; the price is usually competitive or lower, and quality and freshness, not to mention taste, is much better, again better value for money.
8. When pricey items are on sale, buy more and put in freezer, (if its an item that freezes OK, e.g., limes and lemons, certain meats, etc.).
9. Watch the flyers for bargains and loss leaders.
10. If you like to drink bottled water, try a water filter instead. Uses tap water and tastes much better than bottled (usually), and much cheaper per litre.
11. Make a grocery list and stick to it. (No, really. If you don't buy impulse items that you don't really need. You will SAVE money!)
12. One way I save money is through purchasing some of the basics at Sam's Club or Costco. They have HUGE bags of spinach and brocolli for cheap and Frozen Salmon and other fish much less than other grocery stores. They alos have good deals on bags of avacados and colored bell peppers. But becareful on their fruits. Not such a good buy at Sam's or Costo when you compare prices. Although they don't have much, if anything, organic. But first get the diet in order, then move to organic. I also shop at Super Targets and Super Walmarts to save more money.
I hope that these tips can be of help to all of you. If you have questions about training and nutrition e-mail me at
mamericandragon@cfl.rr.com . To find out how to Train Like A Champion on a Contender's Budget visit
www.AmericanDragonOnline.com .
This article is sponsored by
www.HealthandWealthSuccessSecrets.com .