4 Tips inEating well on the cheap tips

The conventional grocery store is not the only place to buy food. Many options are available that you may not be aware of. Some of these "new" venues may offer a significantly cheaper way to purchase food. Search out these types of stores and markets in your area and compare prices. It can save you a lot of money.

• Discount stores: Warehouse or club stores like Costco and Sam's offer great bargains. Just be sure to only purchase what you will use. Seasonal produce is often cheaper at these stores, as are foods such as boneless, skinless chicken breast and reduced fat cheese. Due to the very large portions you will need to carefully plan how you will use all of the food. It is helpful to freeze in smaller, more manageable packages.
• Search out Farmers' Markets: Many cities, as well as small towns, host weekly Farmers' Markets. Local farmers bring their wares to specific locations, typically open-air street markets, and sell fresh food directly to you, often for less than you'd pay in the grocery store or supermarket. If you go towards the end of the market, some venders may sell their remaining perishable items at a discount. Bonus: you are supporting your local economy, the environment, and it's a great opportunity to socialize and get to know like-minded people in your neighborhood who might want to join a CSA (community supported agriculture) group or start a buying club with you.
• Ethnic markets and corner stores are worth looking into. Many of them feature an impressive, affordable selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as some other products.
• Purchase generic/store brands: When you shop at conventional grocery stores, compare the unit prices on items. Often the store brand or the generic brand will be cheaper than the name brand for the same quality. Also, join the savings clubs to save some additional money.

Eating well on the cheap tip #2: Find cheaper protein options

There are a number of ways to stretch your food dollars, such as always comparing prices to find the best deal and clipping coupons for healthy foods you like and would buy anyway. Two of most effective ways to save money on food are buying in bulk and learning how to purchase protein in the most affordable way.

Protein: how to save money and have high quality protein in your diet

Protein is a vital part of a healthy diet. Whether it is from meat or vegetarian sources, our body relies on protein for many of its functions. As we know, meat can be quite expensive. But, most of us in the U.S. consume more animal protein than we need, so with a few adjustments we can save money AND have plenty of protein in our diet.

• Purchase less expensive cuts of meat and practice portion control. Not only do you save money on the cut of meat, but you can also stretch the meat for more meals when you make tasty things such as casseroles, sauces, soups, stews, and stir-fries. It is easy to add extra vegetables, beans and whole grains to create delicious, hearty, and filling meals. You also get plenty of protein and save money.
• Experiment with vegetarian sources of protein. Veggie proteins, such as beans, are quite inexpensive, highly nutritious, easy to prepare, and taste great. Stock up on dried and/or canned beans and lentils. You'll not only save money, but calories too! Other great sources of less expensive high quality protein are nuts and seeds, as well as eggs. Try going meatless once a week: i.e. "Meatless Mondays."
• Canned fish and chicken are a great option for things like sandwiches, enchiladas, casseroles, and salads. These items last for a long time on the shelf so can be bought ahead. They are great to have on hand for great tasting, quick, easy, and healthy meals.

Eating well on the cheap tip #3: Buy in bulk

Doing things in bulk saves time and money. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper. There are many items that can be bought in bulk - grains, dairy products, and meat, for example. You can freeze perishable items, such as meat, milk, and bread, in smaller portions to use, as they are needed. It is always a good idea to buy non-perishable items, such as dried beans, grains, and canned foods, in bulk.

• Shop for produce in season and buy by the bag. When produce is in season it is at its cheapest, as well as its best flavor and nutritional value. It's cheaper to purchase produce by the bag, not by the piece, and will fill more lunch bags and cover more meals. Some easy examples: apples, oranges, grapefruit, potatoes, and onions.
• Check the freezer aisle. Look for the largest packages of vegetables in the frozen foods section. These are great for stir-fries and soups. Frozen and fresh veggies are equally nutritious, still taste good, and often the largest frozen bags will be cheaper.
• Ethnic markets and corner stores are worth looking into. Many of them feature an impressive, affordable selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as some other products.
• Buy all your grains in bulk (including cereals) and store them in airtight containers. Examples are whole grain brown rice, millet, barley and rolled oats. Brown Rice can be a little more expensive than white rice, but the higher nutritional value is well worth it. Whole grains are an excellent source of nutrients, including protein!
• Bulk protein comes in many forms. Meat is often sold in larger packages/portions at a lower price. Split packages up into meal size portions and freeze for later use. Tip: buy a whole chicken & have the butcher cut it up for you. Dried legumes (beans) and peas can easily be bought in bulk packages or bulk bins at grocery stores. Canned beans can be bought in flats at warehouse stores. Also look for two for one specials on dairy, which you can keep good by freezing.

Eating well on the cheap tip #4: Stretch your dollar when you cook

Preparing large portions of food to use over multiple meals saves time and energy. When cooking, it's also important to think about how to incorporate leftovers into new meals. Finally presentation has a big effect on the appeal of a meal, so a little effort put in, makes a huge difference.

Save money by cooking in bulk

It's ideal to pick one or two days a week to cook something that can be used for multiple days and meals. Some easy ideas for cooking in bulk:

• Cook once and eat multiple times. Cook a large meal at the beginning of the week. It is easy to double a recipe so that you have extra to use later in the week for quick lunches or dinners when you don't feel like cooking. You can also freeze half for another day. Add a green salad or other side dish and you have a delicious easy meal.
• One-pot dishes, such as soups, stews, or casseroles, are especially good because they generally save preparation time, money, and dishwashing. Plus they make great leftovers. You can even cook one pot of oatmeal and heat up a serving size each morning. Rolled or steel cut oats are nutritious, very inexpensive and you can add anything you like such as seasonal fresh fruit and nuts or seeds to create a wonderful breakfast. This is also much cheaper and more nutritious than dry cereal or the flavored packets of instant oatmeal, which are usually packed with sugar.