Editor:
Do you ever wonder how you can save money grocery shopping for a plant-based diet? In this article, we’re sharing our best tips for grocery shopping on a budget!
Make Plant-Based Your Staple
Following a plant-based diet may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Some believe that following a plant-based diet is expensive, but this couldn’t be further from the truth when relying on staples such as brown rice, oatmeal, potatoes, pasta, bananas, beans, lentils, and other legumes. Make these foods the staples of your meals; with additions like vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds.
Shop Seasonal When Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Have you ever noticed that tomatoes are the least expensive in the summer, and squash goes on sale around the fall? Shopping seasonally will help with grocery shopping on a budget. Seasonal produce varies depending on where you live, so try to find a chart online that lists the seasonal fruit and vegetables in your area.
Rely on Root Vegetables
Root vegetables include beets, sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabaga, and carrots. They’re typically less expensive than other vegetables, but can be just as nutritious! For example, sweet potatoes and carrots contain carotenoids which can help reduce the risk of eye disease, some cancers, and heart disease. Potatoes are almost always inexpensive and are an excellent source of fiber, folate, vitamin C, and potassium! Root vegetables can be used in soups, stews, curries or stir-fries to add bulk to your meals, as well as nutrients and flavor.
Buy in Bulk When Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Buying in bulk can be an easy way to save money. Many foods bought in bulk are less expensive than those found at traditional grocery stores. Anything from nuts, seeds, grains, pasta, and spices can be found at bulk food stores. You can save money while getting the right amount of an ingredient for a particular recipe or for your family size.
Shopping at bulk food stores is especially important on a plant-based diet. Legumes and whole grains can be found at an even lower price than at traditional grocery stores; helpful when grocery shopping on a budget. Bulk stores also give you the option to try a small amount of a new plant-based food. Instead of buying a whole package and finding out you don’t like it, try one serving first!
Remember to check the unit price of an item when buying in bulk at a traditional grocery store. Most price tags will show what the item costs per 100 grams. Check this price to make sure you’re getting a good deal!
Buy No Name or Grocery Store Brands
Most grocery stores carry their own line of “no-name” or generic brand that is cheaper than their branded counterparts. When looking for a particular food item, look around to see if a no-name brand of the same item is there.
Shop the Reduced Section When Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Most grocery stores have a designated rack for discount produce. Most of the time the produce is still edible, and may just be slightly overripe. If you’re looking for ways to use fruit and vegetables in the “reduced” rack, try peeling and freezing bananas for smoothies, slicing apples to make homemade applesauce, or putting celery in water with the ends cut off to bring it back to life.
Meal Plan Before You Go
Make a list of exactly what you need at the grocery store and stick to it, instead of arriving at the grocery store without knowing what to buy for the week. Meal planning with a few simple recipes is always a good idea. This helps you avoid purchasing food that you don’t actually need, and helps you to stay focused on only buying what is on your budget-friendly list.
Shop the Budget-Friendly Pantry Staples
Being stocked on pantry staples helps to make plant-based meals come together seamlessly, and most are budget-friendly! Pantry staples include whole grains, pasta, dried or canned beans, and more. Read this article for more ideas about which plant-based pantry staples to stock up on.
Frozen is Your Friend When Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Frozen fruit and vegetables are just as nutrient-dense as their fresh counterparts. They are especially convenient during the winter when fresh fruit and vegetables may not be as readily available. Try stocking up on frozen broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, and berries to save money. Having a freezer stocked with fruits and vegetables makes it easy to get enough throughout the day when grocery shopping on a budget.
What are your favorite money-saving tips for grocery shopping on a budget? Let us know in the comments down below!
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