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To stay healthy a person needs to make wise food choices, from all of the food groups. When looking for lower cost food items, keeping health in mind, do what i do and often you will save a bundle.

For healthy dry goods, like beans, brown rice, whole grain cereals, lentils, nuts, spices, pasta, soup stocks, and dried fruit, head to your local bulk store and buy in bulk. Remember to store in air tight containers.

Dairy products. By purchasing powdered milk you will reap good savings, but I must say it is far better to spend a few extra pennies and buy fresh milk. Great deals can be found when purchasing Yogurt, and it really does make a nice snack, full of calcium too. Cheese, please refrain from buying processed cheese, buy hard cheeses instead, they are often on sale.

Eggs. Eggs are always relatively cheap and are a really good source of protein with many nutrients. They can be cooked in a variety of ways and can always stretch a food dollar.

Fruits. Fruit is very healthy, low in calories, makes a wonderful desert or snack. Buy fruit in season, eat your fill and freeze the rest. Check out local farmer's markets for great value as far as freshness and often you will get a much better price then you would in the grocery store.

Vegetables. A necessary evil. I am not fond of veggies but they are healthy and can often be found for a cheap price. Fresh is best, but frozen, and even tinned will do in a pinch. Once again a good price can often be found at your local farmer's market.

Meats. Buy cheaper cuts of meat and cook them slowly, you will retain the great protein and nutrient value. When a cheaper cut of meat is cooked slowly, like in a crock pot you will be amazed at how tender and tasty it will be. When buying lunch meat purchase from your deli counter fresh, and only purchase when a sale is to be had. It might seem a bit expensive up front, but the savings that can be had from buying a side or quarter of beef, or pork makes this option healthy and also a very good deal.

Stay away from the junk food isle in your grocery store. Items here are over priced and obviously not healthy for you. If you have to have a snack, try nuts, or popcorn. Avoid fast food restaurants, there are no savings to be had, and the food is loaded with fillers, salt and sugar.

A well known way to stretch your food dollar, and still prepare a healthy meal is too make stirfry's, soups, and stews. Also don't throw out your left overs, be creative and eat them up.

Learn more about this author, Deirdre Field.
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