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Diet

How to eat healthy on a budget

Do diet: Slash your grocery bills and your waistline with these simple tricks for eating well for less
How to eat healthy on a budget

Kroger/Gross/Stockfood

Do embrace frozen berries

Fruits and veggies in the freezer aisle are just as nutritious as fresh ones, and you can get up to eight times as much for the same price. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight or add frozen to baking recipes and breakfast smoothies.

Do diet: frozen strawberriesKroger/Gross/Stockfood

Do look beyond brands

Stretch your dollar by opting for no-name or private label store brands.

Shopping tip: Use this strategy for single-ingredient products like brown rice, legumes or flour — and save big! For canned or frozen goods, always compare ingredient lists to ensure you don’t compromise on quality.

woman looking at brand label of orange juice at grocery storeMasterfile

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Do make DIY meals

Ready-made lasagna may save time, but it’ll cost you at the checkout, not to mention the added fat, calories and preservatives. Instead, set aside time to make big-batch casseroles, soups and stews — and your freezer will always be full of tasty, healthy options.

Make it a habit: Whip up a batch of whole-grain waffles on Sundays, individually wrap the extras and freeze for a weekday-morning treat you can just pop in the toaster.
Recipe shown in image: Ravioli lasagna with sausage and mushrooms

Make-ahead DIY recipe: Ravioli lasagna with sausage and mushroomsJohn Cullen

Do pass up prewashed

Save hundreds a year by avoiding precut veggies and opting for a head of lettuce instead of a bag of prewashed! When you get home, simply wash, dry and tear it, then put it back in a plastic bag. Same goes for fruit: A container of precut pineapple costs about $4 while a whole one, with at least four times the amount of fruit, is the same price.

Make it a habit: Commit to skipping any fresh product that comes in a plastic bag!

Pre-packaged and prewashed carrots and celeryPhoto by Masterfile

Do bulk up

Buy staples like cereal, spices or pasta in bulk, then stash in glass jars that you can refill when necessary — you’ll save big and do the environment a favour, too, by reducing unnecessary packaging.

Jars of bulk dry pasta (spaghetti, fusilli, penne) in glass jarsMasterfile

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Do make it meatless

Cut back costs by going vegetarian. Eggs, quinoa, chickpeas and beans are all healthy and affordable proteins.

Bonus: They’re also lower in fat than most meats! Save the most money by opting for dried goods versus canned.
Recipe image: Salt and vinegar roasted chickpeas

Salt and vinegar roasted chickpeas recipeAngela Liddon

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