Everyone wants to save money at the grocery store, especially those on a tight budget. The new Healthy Eating on a Budget section of ChooseMyPlate.gov empowers cost-conscious consumers to make healthy choices with insightful information about meal planning, smart shopping ideas, and creating healthy meals with simple ingredients. Web-based trends indicate that consumers continue to look for information about how to make better eating decisions with limited resources. Healthy Eating on a Budget offers a step-by-step game plan to help families save money and make nutritious meals at home.
Recent scores from the USDA Healthy Eating Index indicate that Americans can struggle to meet recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Most of us need to increase our intake of whole fruit, dark-green and orange vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy. Cost is often considered a barrier to eating healthier and the new resource will help consumers overcome this perception.
The Healthy Eating on a Budget web pages offer tips and tricks to keep families organized, help consumers discover better deals when shopping and provide kitchen time-saving ideas such as cooking some dishes ahead of time and saving the extras for a second, effortless meal later. The latest addition to the 10 Tips Nutrition Education Series, “Save More at the Grocery Store” will help consumers identify more budget-friendly strategies in an easy-to-read tip sheet.
Healthy Eating on a Budget includes a new cookbook with 25 recipes from the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Connection. The recipes are featured in sample two-week menus based on a 2,000 calorie diet to help individuals and families apply the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additional grocery and pantry lists are provided to help households plan their food purchases.
Additionally, USDA has a number of nutrition education programs to help consumers and those eligible or participating in nutrition assistance programs make healthier purchases. As food prices change, Healthy Eating on a Budget can support professionals in providing nutrition education to help more families manage their food dollar. The new pages include “Resources for Professionals” devoted to those who deliver nutrition education and counseling through nutrition assistance programs administered by the Food and Nutrition Service.
