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Eat right when money is tight!

Planning ahead can save money

Food prices seem to be skyrocketing these days. But don't skimp on the healthy foods. A little planning can go a long way to help you eat right, and save.

Let's get organized and look at what you can do when you're making that weekly grocery run.

Plan before you shop 

Did you ever grocery shop on an empty stomach? Kind of makes you want to buy an entire aisle of food, doesn't it? Why not have a meal or a quick snack before you run that errand?

And while you eat, be sure to browse the local grocery store ads. See what's on sale and try to plan meals around these sale-priced foods each week.

While you're at it, try to get in the habit of using coupons. Check the mail, newspapers or magazines, the back of your register receipts or online. With a few money-saving coupons, even brand-name foods and family favorites can be less expensive than store brand items!

Make a list. When you shop with a plan — and stick to it — you're less likely to buy things you really don't need.

On the hunt for healthy? 

When you're at the grocery store, these tips can help you find healthy foods:

  • Buy more food from the outside aisles — they're packed with fresh foods.
  • Buy less food from the middle aisles and at the cash register. That's often where snacks, soda and processed foods are stocked.
  • Check labels to compare nutrients, calories and prices of similar foods.

Read before you buy 

What's in those ingredients, anyway? A little reading goes a long way. Get to know food nutrition labels, which can help you:

  • Check the calories, fat and sugar.
  • Understand serving size. If a package label says "two servings" and you eat the contents in one sitting, you just ate twice the calories.
  • Find out how many proteins, vitamins and other nutrients are in the food.

Have a talk with your doctor 

Of course, it's always smart to talk with your doctor first before making any major changes in your diet. Here are a few questions to start that conversation:

  • What type of food plan is best for me? My family?
  • How many calories should I eat each day?
  • Are there any foods I should avoid?
  • Fats and sugars — how much is too much?

Use the Web 

Looking for more information? Check out our other sites to learn more about eating healthy.

Community Vitality is a health literacy initiative for the public from Aetna and Magic Johnson Enterprises.

Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional.