Good Eats on $40 A Week (Really)

Paring down your grocery budget can lead to a healthier diet-if you know how to shop smart. With many convenience foods, we're paying for packaging and processing that adds fat, sugar, sodium, and calories. Go International, Spices boost flavor without adding sodium or fat, and many have their own health benefits. You'll find them for less in the international asile. In my neighborhood grocery, Kroger, and ounce of cloves costs $3.79 in the spice aisle, but 99 cents in the international section.

Eating seasonally is cheaper, and it exposes you to a variety of fresh foods. Yes, you can buy fresh brussels sprouts for Easter dinner, but they cost three times what you'd pay at Thanksgiving. Eating seasonally also exposes you to new foods.

Eat meatless or meatlight. It's better for your bottom line and your health. People who eat a lot of red and processed meats have a higher risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.

 My $40 shopping cart

3 pounds frozen ground turkey 3.00

1 pound fresh tilapia 2.59

1 pound London broil 2.39

1 pound black beans .88

2 chickens 5.75

1 dozen eggs .99

4 pounds chicken thighs 3.56

1 pound bananas

1 pound pears or apples .99

3 pounds collard greens 1.00

3 pounds eggplant 1.58

2 pounds oranges 1.98

3 pounds yellow onions 1.19

1 head of lettuce 1.49

5 heads garlic 1.29

1 12-ounce jar peanut butter 1.50

1 42-ounce box oats 2.14

1 loaf bread 1.69

1 48- ounce bottle canola oil 1.97

1 pound brown rice .50

1/2 gallon milk 1.89

1/2 pound peppers .30

6 ounces cumin 1.00

Total 40.16

Now these items can be mixed. Just so the total comes out to $40. Having a whole chicken can serve 3 meals. Check it out and see if this grocery list fits your budget.