The next step is to follow that quintessential shopping advice: Don't go to the grocery store hungry. You're much more likely to make impulse and unhealthy purchases if you do, so shop after a meal or grab a healthy snack before heading to the store.

And remember: The cheapest groceries are not always the most nutritious; consider spending slightly more for foods that are filling and nutrient-dense. For tips and recommendations for a more economical shopping experience, see below for advice from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.

Fruit and vegetables are among the groceries with the largest price jumps lately , but you can still find affordable produce by buying seasonally. Purchasing when produce is abundant helps lower the cost and will all but assure the best taste and highest levels of nutrition.

Seasonal Fruits. Seasonal Vegetables. Another way to save money on produce is to opt for fruit and vegetables that have a longer shelf-life.

For example, to help extend your grocery dollars, choose apples over berries or carrots or celery over leafy greens. Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill. To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein.

Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes. Larger cuts of meat will usually cost less per pound, but they may require marinating, braising and slow cooking to bring out the tenderness.

If you do prefer to include cheaper cuts of meat, consider including:. Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth. Consider cutting costs even further by implementing Meatless Monday or meatless dinners a few nights a week.

Swap out meat for healthy plant-based meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, beans and legumes, as your protein source.

The cost of fresh seafood may also vary seasonally. According to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership , fresh Alaskan salmon is less expensive during the summer when the fish are more abundant. Other popular choices that may be worth buying seasonally include Albacore tuna in season July-October and halibut in season March-November.

Other ways to save money on seafood:. Whether you prefer dairy or non-dairy, you can find competitive prices due to the sheer number of products on the market. While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale.

Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats. Always check the label before purchasing.

More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds.

Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods. Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition.

Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months. Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale. Items worth stocking up on include:.

More ways to save money on groceries. Have pancakes, scrambled eggs and fruit for dinner—your kids will love that. Enjoy a soup and grilled cheese night.

Pick some simple, cheaper meals to shrink your stress and your grocery budget. Pull up the calculator on your phone and keep track of everything you put in the cart. Challenge yourself to look through your pantry or fridge and see what kinds of meals you can throw together with the ingredients you already have.

Who says you have to stock up on more groceries when there are perfectly good chicken thighs shoved in the back of your freezer and a couple unopened cans of black beans and salsa on your shelves? Pro tip: Here are some recipes for cheap and easy pantry meals for inspiration!

Buying in bulk is amazing. when it actually saves you money. When it comes to getting a good deal, timing is key. Find out if your go-to grocery store has a day of the week when they offer special deals. Also, make sure you know the sales cycles. Some grocery stores put out their new weekly deals on Sunday, but others do on a random day of the week!

Need to figure out how to save money on food fast? Say hello to freezer meals. I love these because you can set aside time to prep ahead and end up having great meals in the week with less stress. And you can confidently say no to those drive thru temptations because you know an easy dinner is waiting at home!

This tip is a lifesaver for busy budgeters. I say it all the time, people: Cash is king! If you want to set and stick to your grocery budget— pay with cash. Get yourself a cash envelope system going for this budget line and any others that are hard to keep in line.

This is one of my absolute favorite tips for how to save money on groceries. Are you ready for this? Make a meal plan and a grocery list before you ever leave the house. Look to see what you already have in the fridge, pantry and freezer while you plan.

Okay, making the grocery list from your meal plan is just the first part here. When you get to the store, stick to the list. I mean it! Just remember: Lots of stores offer this service at no charge.

Buying fresh mangos in January will cost you way more than average—and they might not even taste good! Have you ever noticed that the most expensive items on the grocery shelves are right at your eye level? Grocery stores are smart. They want you to see those items and splurge.

Instead of falling for those marketing tricks, look up and down as you shop. The more affordable brands tend to be higher or lower on the shelves. Now that you know what those clever stores are up to, you can literally keep your eye out for grocery savings.

You guys, it may be time to break up with your go-to grocery store. Find the cheapest grocery store in your area. Go where the sales are! The more times you pop into the store, the more opportunities you have to overspend. By the way, remember how I said to meal plan and stick to your grocery list?

I love a deal. Plant your own garden! You can start small by planting herbs like parsley, cilantro and rosemary right on your kitchen windowsill. Ibotta, Receipt Hog, Checkout 51 and Target Circle are just a few of the great apps that can help you save.

So instead, find some meatless recipes to whip up on Meatless Monday—or whenever! Also, look for cuts of meat that are cheaper alternatives to what you usually buy. Skip the sirloin and grab ground chuck.

Pass on the pork chops and pick the pork loin. That way you can have your meat and save money too! Technically this is a way to save on your overall food budget because restaurants are not groceries.

I repeat: Restaurants are not groceries. Pro tip: Check out these cheap lunch ideas for even more ways to save on your midday meal. Are generic brands really as good as the name brands? Buy some generic groceries , even if you just start small. Get this: When it comes to staples like salt, sugar and baking soda, a lot of chefs buy generic too.

So, listen to the pros when it comes to how to save money on groceries. Every rotten cucumber and moldy peach is like a little stack of cash going right into the trash.

Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options Buy generic products Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store

Video