With the rising oil prices, a lack of good crop yields, and inflation in general, paying more for less has become a general trend. You are paying more to stay healthy, which means it is important to save money on food by adopting smart ways to buy healthy yet pay less. Here are 3 tips to cut down on your grocery expenses:

1. Healthy is cheap
According to studies, making healthier choices can help you save money on food. You are likely to spend more on the “extras” like soda, bakery items, and chips that not only add to your weight-loss woes but are also harmful in many ways. Sodas and flavored drinks give you empty calories and can be easily replaced with cheaper sparkling water and juices. Make a pass at those calorie-dense cakes and cookies and opt for fresh fruits instead. They give you natural sweetness and help quench your thirst for sweets. When families go on a diet, not only is weight loss easier, but they also save a lot of money on food. Buying fewer high-calorie foods and reducing the portion sizes is a better choice than buying everything that looks good.

Comparing the food prices with the nutritional information for each serving will help you choose smarter. Nutrition-dense food is a better choice than calorie-dense food. For example, peaches worth a dollar make up three to four servings. So, when you divide the cost, it is usually quite reasonable.

2. Buy seasonal produce
Food always tastes the best when it’s fresh. You also get huge savings on fresh food since it costs less to get it to your neighborhood. Food gets expensive when it is not in season as the distribution cost of shipping it to various regions is added to its price. So, the produce of a particular season is the healthiest option and also helps to save money on food. Vegetables like spinach, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, radishes, and mushrooms are spring vegetables. Bell peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and potatoes are fresh in the fall. Corn and carrots are summer produce, while some others are all-year crops. It is important to choose right when buying seasonal produce.

3. Growing your food
The health benefits of home gardening are immense. Apart from the tastiest and healthiest food on your table, it brings good health for you and your family. Home gardening ensures that the whole family participates in and reaps the benefits, including children, who are more likely to enjoy the food after growing it. Home-grown vegetables and fruits are much richer in nutrients than the ones reaching you after being transported over thousands of miles.

The amount of pesticides you use is in your control, giving you complete control over the health factor. The healthier the produce, the richer it is in phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. The control on the use of pesticides ensures that you do your bit to save the environment, and growing your own food also helps you save money at the grocery store.