March is a nutrition awareness month. Below are five tips to help you plan budget-friendly meals:
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Make a menu. Decide which recipes you will make and write a list of the items that you will need to buy. When you have a plan, you will be less likely to spend money on items you don't need.
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Check your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Check the expiry dates of the foods and ingredients you already have on hand. Look for recipes that call for the foods you need to use up.
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Enjoy grains more often. Grains such as rice, pasta, barley and couscous are inexpensive and can be used in many different recipes such as soups, stews and salads.
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Plan to use leftovers. Think about how you can use leftovers. For example, if you’re cooking roast chicken with rice and vegetables for Sunday night, make chicken sandwiches for Monday’s lunch, and on Tuesday, use the bones to make a chicken soup and add any leftover vegetables and rice.
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Look for seasonal recipes. Vegetables and fruit are cheaper when they are in season. Also, explore farmers markets in your area as they often offer best quality product for best price.
