Eating Healthy on a Military Budget

During a recent trip to a local grocery store, I was ecstatic about all the healthy food options loaded in my cart....until I got to the register. I spent how much?! I can't even tell you the number of times I've walked out of a grocery store with a cart full of bagged goodies with a look of complete shock on my face, still double-checking the receipt to make sure the cashier didn't pull a fast one on me.

I am sure many of you know this feeling, especially if you like to buy fresh produce as much as I do. As a military spouse, I like to make sure that my hubby (as well as myself) eats nutritiously so he can feel energized, focused and ready to take on his long work days. 

So, not willing to compromise on eating healthy and determined to spend under a certain dollar amount at the grocery store, I started doing some research on the best ways to buy nutritious food without breaking the bank. Below is a list of money-saving tips I've compiled: 

1. Shop at the commissary!!! This may seem like an obvious point to make, but as a new military spouse I did not realize how much money you can truly save shopping at the commissary - especially when it comes to any meat products. I often have saved $40-$60 shopping at the commissary as opposed to a local grocery store while still buying the same or similar food items and without the use of coupons!
2. Subscribe to a healthy-eating blog or magazine. I have found that getting creative and nutritious recipes makes eating healthy much more fun. I stumbled upon this wonderful website, Eat Healthy Your Way, that comes out with a new magazine every season that contains money-saving coupons and is packed full of healthy recipes tailored specifically for commissary-shopping...and the best part??? It's FREE! You can pick up a copy at your local commissary OR look at the most recent issue on the website. They also have a handy little commissary checklist you can print out and bring with you on your next visit. 
3. Plan menus in advance. Planning out your weekly menu can help you eat economically and avoid impulse purchases. Also, to save on money make sure to include a couple meatless meal options (i.e. whole wheat veggie pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, etc.) Here is a fun and colorful weekly meal planner you can print and write down your menu for the week.
4. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season. Buying "in season" will allow you to get produce at its peak nutrition level and at the lowest price. Wash, cut and freeze extra portions in meal-size freezer bags. Not sure what fruits or veggies are in season? Check out this seasonal produce list on The Food Lovers Kitchen website. If you want something that's not in season, consider buying frozen fruits and veggies.
5. Buy staples foods and lean proteins in bulk. Beans, brown rice, oatmeal and other whole grains should be bought in bulk and placed in food storage containers in a cool, dry place. The extra portions of lean proteins (chicken, salmon, pork) can be frozen. 
6. Buy large containers of food vs. individual serving size. The larger containers of yogurt, cottage cheese,  lunch meats are less expensive than the individual serving packets. You can always separate these items yourself once you get home and store them in plastic containers so they are ready to eat. 
7. Bring a calculator and add up what's in your cart as you shop. Great way to avoid sticker shock once you reach the register and can also ensure you don't go over your budget! 

Now armed with a number of money-saving tips, I hope your able to kick that grocery store receipt in the booty during your next trip!