Ask Mary

There are many ways to eat healthy food on a thrifty budget.  First, you have to prepare you own food instead of eating out.  Cook food in batches and freeze in meal-size portions, and plan to use leftovers.  Drink water instead of soda or juice, and use powdered milk instead of liquid milk in cooking.  Buy fresh fruit and vegetables in season when their cost is lowest.  Fresh carrots and potatoes and canned and frozen vegetables are almost always a good buy. Rice, pasta and rolled oats are inexpensive too.  Replace meat in your diet with dried beans, peas, lentils, eggs, and tuna fish.  Use the store brand instead of name brands; compare unit prices to get the best bargain.   Use coupons when possible and stock up on foods on sale.