Recently, I began a challenge to see whether it were possible to save money at the grocery store with coupons while also maintaining a healthy diet. The journey also led me to think about other ways I ways could save.
First, stay away from packaged goods. This principle was, in fact, the impetus for beginning my coupon challenge. I found that most coupons advertised discounts on foods that were packaged rather than fresh or natural alternatives. Staying away from packaged foods keeps you away from the high sodium, high fat, and loaded “preservatives” in foods you often find a box.
Next, be open minded about what you eat. By now, most people realize that cooking at home is healthier and cheaper than eating out at a restaurant or buying packaged foods. An extension of that principle is opening one’s food palate to include a broader range of meats, grains, and vegetables while cooking. The concept is simple enough, but, unfortunately, many Americans are afraid to try new foods. They spend more and have poorer diets.
Lentils, quinoa, chickpeas, and other hearty but seldom used foods are great additions to a healthy diet and, for now, they are cheap. Grocery stores in many areas carry these items, and those stores that do not are a short trip away from those that do. The convenience of online grocery shopping also makes it possible for people in remote areas to have access to these foods.
Some people might say, however, that even with access to better food options, they still would not try new foods because they do know how to cook them. My response is that learning how to cook comes with practice. It can begin with a simple trip to the library. Trying a new recipe a week starts by just pulling a book from the shelf.
Upon finding a recipe you like, write it down on a card and create a home library of recipes. There really are no excuses for not experimenting with foods, cooking with new foods, and adding them to your diet.
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