If you are trying to get your family to eat healthier but want to stick to a budget, don’t give up. It is possible to have a healthy grocery list and still stay within your household’s grocery budget. Many households give up on eating healthy simply because they think the coupons and sales are only for the convenience or junk food. Luckily, this not true. If you put your focus on the produce, meat and dairy section of the grocery store, you will be able to stay within your budget and eat healthy.

Outside Perimeter

It’s a commonly known fact that the healthy food in the grocery store is located on the outer perimeter of the store. If you avoid the shelves that make up the middle of the grocery store, you have fought half the battle. In the middle, you will find sugary fruit juices and sodas, crackers, cookies and other foods high in partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. When you stick to the outside, you will find healthy produce, dairy and lean meats to purchase and stick to your healthy grocery list.

Whole Grains

When you purchase carbohydrates, try to stick to those that are made from whole grains. If you read the food label and the first ingredient is whole grains, it is a healthy choice. Any other type of grains, including enriched or bleached wheat flour, is not the healthy carbohydrates and should be avoided.

Produce

Most of the fruits you can buy freeze well. This means you can stock up on berries and other fruits that are only in season for a short amount of time and freeze them in individual bags for later use. This allows you to have a constant supply of fresh fruit, even when it is not in season.

Meat

Try to purchase only lean meat, including chicken and beef. If it is possible to avoid the deli counter altogether, that is the best way to stick to your healthy diet because most of the items found behind the deli are high in sodium and heavily processed.

Sticking to a healthy grocery list is not difficult as long as you stay focused and don’t veer off your list. Sticking to the outside perimeter of the store is the best way to include only healthy items in your cart. If you do have to enter the middle of the store for a few items, try to read as many food labels as possible and avoid any convenience or prepackaged foods.

Looking for a healthy grocery that will stay within your budget. For more information on creating a healthy grocery list, visit Family Home Menu.