Affordable Healthy Eating

A simple rule of thumb for eating right is to cook your own meals using fresh, unprocessed foods. As an added bonus, raw ingredients often cost less. Who knew that taking care of your health would also be good for your budget?

5 tips for saving money

Choose house brand products
House brands are made by the same major food companies as better-known brands. You can get the same quality at a much better price.
Hunt for deals
Start by subscribing to the Metro newsletter to get our weekly deals sent directly to your inbox. The My Metro app is also very handy. Simply present your phone at the cash to apply preselected coupons. Every transaction earns you points that can be converted into a reward cheque to apply to future purchases.
Buy bulk and double your recipes
When one of your favourite products goes on sale, seize the opportunity to stock up! This strategy makes sense for items with a long shelf life, like winter squash, legumes or nuts. Foods that freeze well, like meat or grated cheese, are also good choices. Fruits and vegetables bought on special can be baked into muffins or blended into soups and stews that you can freeze for later. You’ll be glad to have these healthy options on hand for a quick meal.
Go veg more often
Everyone knows that meat, poultry, fish and seafood can quickly send your food bill soaring. To save on protein, look for plant-based options, which are often just as nutritious and even better for the environment. Enjoy an Asian stir-fry with tofu, Indian lentil curry, chili with kidney beans, chickpea salad or black bean and beet burgers. Is your mouth watering yet?
Reduce food waste
If you plan your meals in advance, prepare homemade dishes and shop for deals, you’re on the right track. But you can save even more by making sure no food gets wasted. Here are some great ideas on how to stretch a dollar:

• Stick to your shopping list and only buy what you need.

• Freeze, dehydrate or can food to make sure none gets thrown away.

• Put limp veggies to good use in smoothies, soups and stews.

• Make your own broth using vegetable trimmings and chicken bones.

• Get creative with herbs, spices and condiments to transform leftovers into something new.

With these tips in your back pocket, investing in your health is easy!

To get all the nutrients you need, look for fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy products and unseasoned meats. These choices will also help you reduce the amount of added sugar, sodium, fat and food additives that you consume.

Need a little inspiration? Fill your cart with products from each of the four food groups. The healthy and affordable items listed below are just what you need to make some truly delicious meals!