Save Money on Heart-Healthy Groceries

Plan Your Meals Before You Go to the Store 

"With every minute you plan before your shopping trip, the more money you'll save in the store," says Randall Putala, author of Better Groceries for Less Cash-101 Tested and Proven Ways to Save on Food (WDV, LLC, 2008). And the better you plan, the more likely you are to make good food choices. If your kitchen is full of ingredients that you can easily whip together for a healthy meal or snack, you're less likely to spend extra cash on dining out.

Make a list and check it twice. Write down food items you eat on a regular basis or the foods your family gobbles up in one night. If there are a few new recipes you want to try, get the ingredients ahead of time so you are better prepared and not wasting gas money running back and forth to the store.

Buy more of what you love. When you spot sales or coupons for your favorite products, stock up. If the item has a longer shelf life or can be frozen, having extra on hand could save you another trip.

Look for the great deals. If you're not good with shopping lists, try shopping for the sale items at the store instead. Then plan your meals after you've purchased your discounted groceries. When using this method of shopping, good foods to choose are:

• lean meats and fish
• whole grain pasta and bread
• fruits and vegetables
• low-fat dairy
• baking supplies, such as whole wheat flour, egg substitute, and spices

These core foods can be included in all types of healthful recipes.