Looking to Save Cash and Calories?

By Stefanie Copple, Registered Dietician

Looking to Save Cash and Calories? Easy money-saving strategies can help you do both!

Strategies that save you money can also help keep your calorie consumption on track. Try these simple tips next time you’re at the grocery store:

• If you are on a strict budget, try paying with cash, not plastic.  You’ll have to stick to your budget if you bring only the amount of money you plan to spend.
• Think small. Those jumbo packs of snacks aren’t a bargain if you end up throwing some away, plus research proves that having bigger packages at home means you’ll eat more! (1, 2)
• Shop wise.  Beware of the hidden costs of buy-one- get-one-free offers. Sure, you get more food for less money, but how much might be wasted (on your body or in the garbage can that is…)?  The amount of money spent on marketing each year is astounding, and it is all about getting you to buy more, whether you need it or not.
• Shop during non-peak times.  You’ll spend less time in the checkout line, where you might be tempted to buy expensive magazines and candy.
• Skip the samples, especially the sweets.  This is often the “fog” eating we talk about here at Breakthrough Junction.  If you taste a sugary treat, such as cookies, candies or chocolate, you may be more likely to buy unhealthy food that isn’t on your list.
• And it goes without being said, Never Shop Hungry (physically or emotionally).

Breakthrough Junction offers nutrition and life coaching services through the expert team of Stefanie Copple a Registered Dietitian and Gaynor Levisky a Certified Life Coach. 

This tip is part of the Dietitian’s of Canada 2013 Nutrition Month Campaign. Best Food Forward: Plan Shop Cook Enjoy!