Venture beyond
the butcher counter
There are loads of inexpensive protein
options throughout the store. Think eggs,
low-fat milk, and unsweetened yogurt
in the dairy aisle, tofu in the produce
department, frozen peas and edamame
in the freezer section, and canned tuna,
salmon, and beans on the center shelves.
Consider basing one or two meals
each week around vegetarian protein
sources—one study found that eating a
plant-based diet can save $750 a year.- Make friends with
frozen produce
“Frozen produce is a game-changer
for my clients who are looking to eat
healthfully on a budget,” says Jessica
Cording, M.S., RD, a New York City-
based nutritionist and health coach and
author of the forthcoming The Little
Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy
Habits for Managing Stress & Anxiety.
“It’s frozen at the peak of freshness, so
its nutritious goodness is locked in. Plus
you can often find your favorites at lower
prices than fresh produce.” Not only is
frozen produce less likely to spoil, it’s
pre-prepped so it’s a huge time-saver.
- Be savvy about beef
Cuts of beef can vary substantially
in both price and fat content. Sirloin
and top, bottom, and eye of round are
the leanest cuts. Since sirloin can be a
little pricier, stretch it by pairing it with
veggies in shish kebabs and stir-fries.
Eye, top, and bottom rounds are more
economical. But since they can be
tough, they’re best cooked long and
slow in stews, soups, and chili.
6
For the biggest
savings,
choose frozen
asparagus,
artichokes,
corn, spinach,
and berries,
which are
usually the
most expensive
fresh picks.