Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Byangela @marathonsandmotivation
53 Comments

This post is sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets.

It's hard to believe that January is almost over! 2018 started off well here and I am happy to say that I am sticking to my New Year's resolutions (so far). I resolved to focus on a healthy diet for myself and my family.  I also made a goal of being more "budget minded" when grocery shopping. So how am I doing this? Check out my tips for eating healthy on a budget!

Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

1.  Weekly Meal Planning

Every Sunday morning I sit down and look at the weekly schedule for the family: hockey games, ballet, work meetings, appointments, training time, etc. Then, I come up with a meal that will fit best into the busy schedule for Monday-Friday. Some of the meals are prepped ahead and some cook all day in the crockpot. On free nights, I plan something that I can prepare after work.han

2. Make a List and Stick to it!

After I get my meals planned out, I go through the refrigerator and pantry to see what I have and what I need. I like to organize my list into sections at the grocery store. That way I can use my time wisely while shopping. My categories are: Fruits & Vegetables, Meat & Seafood, Dairy, Bread & Grains, and Miscellaneous.

3. Read the Food Labels

I am a huge advocate of checking the labels for EVERYTHING! This is not only a great way to make sure I am choosing the healthiest version of something, but it is also a money saver as well. Why spend more for a certain brand when the store brand contains the exact same ingredients for less?

Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

My Hannaford Rewards

My New Year's Resolution fell in sync with my favorite grocery store! I was so thrilled to learn about the My Hannaford Rewards Program this month. This is a new program that Hannaford is rolling out to show appreciation to their customers. Shoppers will earn 2% back on the food they purchase most often. Shoppers can earn 2% back on Hannaford Brand, Taste of Inspirations, Nature's Place, Home 360, Cha-Ching, Healthy Accents, Etos, Companion, and Care One. 2% will also be earned on any fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli and bakery items that have the Hannaford name on the packaging.

Coupons Galore!

My very favorite thing about the Hannaford Rewards Program is the great coupon deals! Did I mention NO SCISSORS REQUIRED? Simply just browse through the coupons on the convenient app and virtually "clip" them. The clipped coupons are applied when you scan your rewards barcode or enter the phone number you used to sign up when you check out at the store.

Signing Up & Earning Rewards

It's easy to sign up for this incredible Rewards Program by signing up through the Hannaford Website, in-store or through the new Hannaford App. I signed up through my phone and love the convenience of having everything right at my fingertips! I opted in for text messages and I was so excited to earn rewards the first time I used the app!

My Hannaford Rewards

So Tell Me...

Do you plan out your meals for the week? What is your favorite budget friendly tip for the grocery store? Did you sign up for the My Hannaford Rewards program yet?

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Thank you so much for stopping by! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

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53 Comments

  2. I fail with the first 2 for sure. I never meal plan it hasn't worked and when I plan meals we often have extra food for nights that didn't happen or go as planned. I do make a list but I don't stick to it at all. Things I can work on this year.
    Reply
  3. I'm awful at meal planning and I hate grocery shopping. It's just one of those household chores I would rather avoid. We have some rewards/coupon thing for our local store, but my husband handles all that. This year, I've tried to be better about meal planning, and I had a good couple of weeks, but I feel it slipping away.
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  4. I use the app for my grocery store and it often has some decent coupons. I get tired of the ones that make you buy 5 of the same item though!
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  5. You have shown us so many good tips to planning out and feeding a family. I don't have Hannaford's by me but there deals seem as good as their produce.
    Reply
  6. It's really important to meal plan and read labels. We have this idea that all healthy food and recipes are expensive but in reality, it really isn't. There are plenty of healthy recipes these days that make use of affordable ingredients and with the right meal planning, we can definitely save money!
    Reply
  7. Making a list is KEY! If I go without a list, forget it. Budget is completely derailed. With a list and I only buy what I need.
    Reply
  8. I am a big meal planner. It's so much easier to know what you're having than to figure it out at the last minute. Plus I can make a list and go to the store and pick up just what I need.
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  9. Those are three things that are totally important! I always find sticking to that list is the difficult part!
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  10. I really want to start couponing, I keep meaning to get the Sunday paper. Would be easier on my pocket for sure.b
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  13. I’m terrible at meal planning and need to do a better job at it! It sure would help with stress of figuring out what to eat daily. We are so busy and always on the go. Nothing healthy to eat out either!
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  16. I plan out our dinner meals in rough for about a month ahead. I of course allow wiggle room as things come up but we have been very good to stick at it and it ensures that we won't have too much repetition. These are great tips for eating healthy on a budget. I have now more than ever read food labels. I do need to remember to 1 bring my list to the grocery store with me, and 2 if I do bring it. Stick to the list.
    Reply
  17. I'm so bad at all of this, I just don't have time for meal planning. We wound up getting a meal delivery service so I don't have to think, but it's definitely not budget friendly.
    Reply
  18. I do try to plan out a few days of meals on Sundays and do some prep. I am getting better at it
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  19. These are great tips! My local supermarkets have similar rewards programs so i always use those to rack up points and load ecoupons to my loyalty card.
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  20. Hey I know a couple of the Hannaford dietitians! Agree that meal planning can definitely help keep things more budget friendly
    Reply
  22. I'm pretty disciplined about keeping to my grocery list, but my meal planning skills kind of tanked when my kids got older and were busy almost every night with activities. Now we're down to the last kid at home...and I"m still in a rut LOL
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  24. With a little planning eating healthy on a budget can be easier than you might think. A weekly meal plan and prep is key.
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  25. It's really all about how you pick your food. Healthy doesn't mean expensive, it just means you're more dedicated to reading those labels and planning those meals. These tips are perfect!
    Reply
  26. I downloaded that hannafords rewards app as soon as it came out! I just wish it was closer to us; I only go to that store if I'm working in another town and can swing by on the way home. Great tips!
    Reply
  27. Beginning of a healthy eating can seem expensive, but I find once I realize how much junk I am cutting out, I am saving money. Thank you for these tips!
    Reply
  28. Making a list definitely helps. I also just started grocery shopping online and having it delivered which helps me stick to my list and not grab unnecessary unhealthy items at the store.
    Reply
  29. What a great post. I have people tell me all the time they just don't think they can eat healthy on a budget. I love to show them articles like this to encourage them that they can!
    Reply
  30. You see I was always under the impression that eating healthy was expensive but after reading your tips on how to eat healthy on a budget, I realize that it is easier than I previously thought! I like the idea of checking labels, I tend to do that as I am a vegetarian and I do that with other products that I use as I am cruelty free. It is great to be aware!
    Reply
  31. I'm all for meal planning and try to plan a lot of meals around what is on sale. Cooking in large quantities also helps me, especially for having easy to grab lunches on hand.
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  32. That making a list thing and sticking to it... HA!! I am such an impulse buyer. I see a new product and I have got to try it!
    Reply
  34. I feel like so many people get turned off by healthy eating because of the expenses. For example, a salad always cost more than a hamburger at a fast food establishment. People are unaware of how easy it is to budget when grocery shopping for healthy recipes. Thank you for showing that it is possible to eat healthy for less. Great read!
    Reply
  35. I definitely think I need to pay more attention to coupons!! Next year, I'll be a college student trying to stick not only to a budget, but ALSO to a healthy meal plan, so I'll always be on the lookout for coupons on healthy snacks!
    Reply
  36. I am one of those people who does daily shopping for dinner. But I do meal plan my lunches and that is a huge part of my Monday shopping. I have never done coupons though, I should pay more attention to that.
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  37. I was JUST talking about food budgets! I do think meal planning and sticking to the list is vital. I could make so many impulse buys!
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  38. I go through phases where I plan out meals and others where I don't. Regardless, I do find that coupons, sales and rewards programs help me budget for healthier options.
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  39. Healthy foods can seem to be more expensive, but I love being able to get them on a budget! We are really focusing on being healthier this year and staying on budget is something we have to do.
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  40. I do not plan out meals for the week, or shop for the week. It's just my other half and I at home, so if I did that…we'd probably be wasting a lot of food. What I used to do (when I lived in Michigan) was shop clearance on fruits and veggies that our neighborhood store used to package for a deep discount. Perfect when you needed a few items to make a certain recipe.
    Reply
  41. These are all great tips! Especially sticking to the list- thats the part that always gets me. Another good one is sticking to the outter parts of the store- the aisles are where you start filling up on un-necessary items!
    Reply
  43. I think meal planning and eating healthy takes research and using those coupons. I know when we pay attention to those things, we spend less and eat better!
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  44. Great tips. I wish I was better at making lists and sticking to them and even meal plans. I need to get back on it especially with our budget as of late!
    Reply
  45. Hannaford seems like a great store for a healthy lifestyle. I love the tip to make a list because if I don't I always end up buying and spending far more than I intend.
    Reply
  46. I learned to do meal plans when I was in College. It really pays to take time to plan out the meals, then you would have the products optimized for all your planned-meal, not having left-out veggies or expired ones.
    Reply
  47. I need to get back into meal planning. Not only is it a money saver, it's a time saver. If nothing else it helps me avoid pointlessly eating out.
    Reply
  48. Pinteres on Saturday nights has been my amazing way of food planning. I check out my new menus and shop on Saturday. By getting a lot of the seasoning and marinades done on Sunday, it has been rather easy to stick to a meal set for the week. Thrifting Diva www.thriftingdiva.com
    Reply
  49. Sticking to a budget is so hard but with great planning, it can be done for a healthy meal plan. For me I find the biggest challenge in finding recipes, making my list, finding the time to grocery shop and then actually cooking the meals. Using only recipes that I know I will actually make helps me spend less by visiting local produce stands.
    Reply
  50. These are such great tips! I love budget friendly food! They are healthy and you can save money through some wise choice.
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  51. great tips! i don't plan consistently. I really mean to! it works out a lot better health and budget wise when I do.
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  52. I love this! I’m trying really hard to get my family to eat better this year and budget has always been the hard part.
    Reply
  53. The wife discovered this site and said I should take a glance at it. I'm glad that I took the time to pay a visit to your webpage, it's undeniably one of the best I've looked at.
    Reply

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