Yeah, we know eating guilt-free isn't always the most affordable way to go. It almost seems like the fewer calories something has the more expensive it is. HG's bringing you some money-saving tricks to eating guilt-free. Remember, just because money's tight doesn't mean your pants have to be...
*Go Generic! While we do have our favorite specialty items we can't live without, there are tons of more affordable staple guilt-free groceries that are made by generic brands. Here's a list of a few we chew regularly... ![]()
*no-sugar-added applesauce and canned fruit in its own juice or water
*fat-free dairy products (yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, sour cream, etc.)
*sugar-free artificially sweetened powdered drink mixes (including those cool single-serving packets!)
*fat-free and low-cal salad dressings
*fat-free whipped topping
*instant oatmeal packets and regular oats
*puffed wheat, puffed rice, and shredded wheat cereal
*rice cakes and low-fat granola bars
Mix it Up! Splurge on the specifics you can't live without, but then combine 'em with cheaper generic-brand items to make 'em last. For example, HG LOVES mixing Fiber One cereal with puffed wheat and puffed rice; it's low-cal AND low-cost!
Brown Bag it! If your workplace offers fridge space, take advantage! Spending a few minutes tossing a salad at home is FAR cheaper than ordering one from the local salad shop. An added bonus: no picking out the icky stuff you don't like!![]()
Seek out Specials! Some of our fave foods like chocolate VitaTops (the best low-cal healthy chocolate treats!) and Gnu Bars (chewy and delicious fiber-packed snack bars) are often available in money-saving specials. Sign up for HG's free daily emails and you'll automatically get exclusive access to specials like these.
Befriend the Frozen Foods Section! Fruits, veggies, seafood, and more are all sold frozen and in bulk; it's an awesome way to stock up on the good stuff without shelling out a lot of dough. Then whip up smoothies and soups or simply defrost them and use as you would the fresh stuff!
Supercenters = Super-savers! Money-saving chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart have a slew of "supercenter" locations, featuring full grocery sections. We've scored some of our favorite items (like Boca Chili, Crystal Light, and Gardenburgers) for a fraction of the fee we'd pay at the corner supermarket. Woohoo!
Get Crafty in the Kitchen! Play around with those generic-brand items to create fun snacks that you'd normally pay more for if you purchased 'em pre-made. Mix fat-free cottage cheese or yogurt with thawed frozen fruit; add no-cal sweetener and cinnamon (or even pumpkin pie spice...mmm!) to no-sugar-added applesauce; create your own frozen treats by making sandwiches out of flavored rice cakes and fat-free whipped topping -- the possibilities are endless, and they won't empty your wallet or exceed your calorie budget either!
Make Your Own 100-Calorie Packs! Portion-controlled snacks are all the rage. But buying individual serving sizes of snack foods is definitely not cheap. Save money by purchasing full-size bags of snacks and portioning them out and storing them in sealable plastic bags.
For more tips, tricks, food finds and recipes, sign up for free daily emails at hungry-girl.com.
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