Everyday Cheapskate: How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
I can't tell you how many times I've heard from readers who are stuck in a mindset that says in order to be frugal in the grocery store, one must live on a diet of high-carb, low-quality and basically unhealthy junk food. And conversely, sticking to a healthy diet is expensive and generally out of reach for most families.
Today, I would like to put both myths to rest by demonstrating that is it possible to eat healthy, even on a tight budget.
Don't Pay Full-Price for Protein
Tuna, chicken breasts and lean beef cuts are always on sale somewhere. If you don't want to store-hop, you can always find some cut of meat, fish and poultry on sale in your favorite market.
Eat what's on sale, and if it's a loss leader (that means dirt-cheap in an effort to entice people through the door), stock up for the coming weeks.
Grab up the items that are marked down for quick sale because they are close to the "sell by" dates, and then freeze.
Beyond Chicken Breasts
Healthy eating is often equated with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. That's great, but chicken thighs are less expensive and much more flavorful.
Buying a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself is more cost-effective than purchasing individual parts. Or an even better alternative: $5 rotisserie chickens from Costco.
Protein-Rich Beans
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