Healthy Grocery Shopping on a Budget

American households are rediscovering the art of cooking at home. As many of us make this shift away from our favorite eateries, you may be tempted to turn to fast food rather than your kitchen.

Plan Your Meals
Have a meal plan and a well- thought-out grocery list. Make a calendar of meals that will fit your schedule and use ingredients that you can keep at hand in your pantry. Have the whole family help in planning and preparing the meal.

Choose Ingredients that Fit Different Dishes
Many of the key items that are used to create a host of meals are found in the canned and packaged food aisles of your grocery store. These aisles provide a plentitude of ingredients for most of your favorite recipes, while offering both convenience and nutrition at a great value.

The BumbleBee.com Web site features their healthy, protein-packed seafood items and delicious recipe ideas. The site has a user-friendly recipe finder that allows you to search by meal type, ingredient, and even special dietary considerations.

Use the Food Pyramid
The new MyPyramid food guidance system is a great way to help you identify how much to consume from each food group in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle that balances nutrition and exercise.