Check Your Freezer to Save Money, Eat Healthy

by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom


Food prices are soaring, and it’s not your imagination that the cost of healthy foods seems to be rising by the day. Fresh fruits and vegetables are especially out of control. Even the usual ways to cut costs don’t seem to work – like cutting up veggies yourself, or buying bagged fruits that are smaller in size and not as perfect. A tough problem!

Fruit and vegetable requirements don’t change with the seasons and it is harder to meet these needs in the wintertime. First, when it comes to fresh produce – become a “seasonal” eater. Choose fruits and veggies that are in season and not flown in from around the world. With a global food supply, we can now get produce from all corners of the world – hey, it’s always summer somewhere! As you might have already discovered, melons, berries, peaches, and cherries, are priced high, while the flavor is low. For now, stick with fruits like apples, pears, and oranges, and veggies like cabbage, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. That’s one way to trim your costs.

Now for the major savings! Visit the frozen food aisle – but choose carefully. You’ll save a bundle, and get the same nutrient content as the fresh varieties. Most frozen produce is flash frozen before bagging, making it nutrient-rich and the same as fresh. Select those without added sauces (veggies) or sugars (fruits). To make sure, turn over the package, and read the list of ingredients; it should only contain the fruit or vegetable you selected – and nothing else!

You can splurge for the “microwave right in the bag” varieties, but you’ll cut this cost nearly in half, if you take one minute to dump the bag into a covered container first. Either way, you’ll save in a big way.

Another thing I love? No waste!! Just take out what you need – and prepare. You won’t be throwing out a lot of fresh food you couldn’t get around to eating in time (say no to the big-box store’s giant fresh produce bags and boxes unless you can share them with a friend).

Let me know how you’ve been saving money on fruits and vegetables!