Special to the Banner-News
Finding the ingredients to create healthy meals without breaking the bank might seem more difficult lately, but eating well does not have to be an impossible task. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) both encourage plenty of planning to make weekly meals and grocery shopping a success. Celebrate National Nutrition Month by using these three tips and tricks during your next trip to the store.
1. Have a plan.
Whether cooking for one person or a whole family, setting a budget and planning your meals for the week can save you time and money at the store. Make your grocery list based off of the meals you plan to make for the week and try to limit the extra items on your list to household supplies, hygiene items and other necessities. Including snacks in your meal plan might be a good idea if you tend to eat them during the day or have kids who expect them after school.
2. Shop deals.
If your grocery store sends out a weekly ad with coupons or if you typically shop at stores that have apps, check out their weekly deals as you choose your meals for the week. See what ingredients you can get on sale or at a reduced price, and consider switching up your menu if you want to spend less money. Coupons can be a great way to save money, and some stores also offer personalized deals based on past purchases. Buying generic or store-brand items can help cut costs as well.
3. Cook healthy meals.
Once you've done the planning and shopping, it's time to make nutritious meals with your grocery haul. Buy lean proteins in bulk so you can separate them into smaller portions and freeze the ones you don't plan to use immediately. Include frozen or canned fruits and vegetables in your recipes, too. Preparing large batches of food and freezing portions for later gives you healthier choices when you need a quick meal or haven't made your weekly grocery run yet.
Planning and preparation are key to cooking nutritious meals on a budget, and the USDA has resources at myplate.gov/eat-healthy/healthy-eating-budget to help you. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics also has resources to help you eat right on a budget at eatright.org/food/planning/smart-shopping/eat-right-on-a-budget.
About QualChoice Health Insurance
Since 1994, QualChoice has provided the best value in health benefits for Arkansas businesses. They're committed to transforming the health of their community one person at a time and strive to make health insurance simple with an approach based on the core belief that quality healthcare is best delivered locally.
QualChoice health plans and services are offered through QCA Health Plan, Inc. (QCA), a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and QualChoice Life and Health Insurance Company, Inc. (QCLHIC), both licensed with the State of Arkansas. All QualChoice entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC).
More information can be found at qualchoice.com.