Smart Shopping

• Always use a shopping list. Planning your menus in advance will make it easy to create the list.

• Try to shop when you are not hungry. This will help you avoid unplanned purchases.

• Compare national brand's sale price with store brands. Both are often on sale at the same time.

• Compare the cost of convenience foods with the same foods made from scratch.

• Oftentimes, convenience foods cost more than similar foods prepared at home.

• Take the time to compare fresh, frozen, and canned foods to see which is cheapest.

• Buy foods you like when they are on sale and in season.

• Buy products when they are on sale for later use.

• Stock your kitchen with time savers that are packed with nutrients! Look for fat-free or low-fat and low-sodium items and get foods that you can make and serve in a hurry such as:

Canned or frozen fruit
Canned or frozen vegetables and beans
Canned or frozen meat, poultry, and fish
Canned soups or stews
Whole-grain bread or crackers
Enriched or whole grain pasta
Enriched or brown rice
Cheese
Yogurt

• Prepare enough for another meal so you have leftovers. For example, serve a baked chicken one evening and use the leftovers to make sandwiches or casseroles.

• Make a big bowl of salad for dinner and take the leftovers for lunch the next day.