Grocery shopping on a budget: Eat healthy for less

We all want to save money on groceries, especially when food prices are high.

Iowa grocery shoppers say that price is the most important factor when deciding what meat, poultry and dairy products to buy, according to the latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index.

If you’re looking to stretch your food budget, here are some practical tips from experts:

Easy ways to save money on groceries

1. Plan your meals around sales. Check online grocery ads before shopping. For example, if beef chuck roast is on sale, plan meals like pot roast, beef tacos and roast beef sandwiches.

2. Choose budget-friendly meat cuts. Ground meats are affordable and nutritious. Tougher cuts like beef chuck roast or brisket also cost less and taste delicious when slow-cooked in a Crock-Pot or a meat smoker. Animal-based proteins, like real beef and pork, pack in a lot of nutrition for your dollar. Just a 3-ounce serving of beef is an excellent source of 10 essential nutrients and about one-half your daily value of protein.

3. Get creative with leftovers. Transform leftover beef, pork or chicken into salads, stews, casseroles or a stir-fry. This saves money and reduces food waste, which helps the environment. Food waste in landfills is one of the top contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

4. Consider canned and frozen produce. These choices are just as nutritious as fresh produce, cost less and last longer. No more wilted vegetables forgotten in the fridge.

5. Don’t stress about organic. Organic and conventional foods are equally safe and nutritious. The “organic” label is about farming practices, not health benefits, says Shannon Coleman, a nutrition and food scientist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Whether it’s organic or not, both are good for you.

What you should know about food prices

Despite higher food prices, farmers aren’t benefiting, economists say. Farmers only receive 16 cents for every $1 spent on food, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farmers face rising costs for fertilizer, machinery and other essentials.

Yet even during challenging times, farmers continue to work hard to grow safe, nutritious food for your family.

To learn more about how farmers care for their crops, farm animals and the environment, visit realfarmersrealfoodrealmeat.com.

Learn more about author Teresa Bjork here.