Gluten-free on a Budget
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Eating gluten-free can be challenging – especially on a budget. The Center for Celiac Disease created a few quick tips to help you find the gluten-free food and ingredients your child needs to thrive.
When you're about to go food shopping, take a quick inventory of what you already have and what you need. Think about what you plan to make for your family in the next week. Do you have enough of all the ingredients you need? Are there any food staples (such as milk, bread or eggs) that you use all the time? Make a list of what you need so you will remember at the store and shop on a full stomach. You'll be less likely to impulse buy and bust your budget.
There are tons of ways to get the food you want cheaper than the price listed on the shelf.
Consider these ideas:
When it comes to fresh foods, use the seasons to your advantage and buy fruits and veggies when they are in abundance.
There are some inexpensive foods you can buy at any time and use in a variety of ways and recipes. Consider:
The price on the shelf is not always a good indicator of which product offers the best deal. Look at the unit price – the price for a single unit of the product, such as price per ounce, pound, quart or container. A 1 lb. pound of meat may be $3.10, but buying 1.5 pounds at $4 (or $2.66 per pound) is a better deal.
If your family frequently eats certain foods, buying in bulk can save you tons. But, make sure you can use or freeze the larger quantity before it expires. Consider sharing bulk items (and the cost) with extended family or neighbors.
While there is often a higher price for convenience, certain stores do offer free delivery or online coupons for discounted grocery delivery services. If you can't get out to the store, look for special deals for delivery such as booking a few days advance or being flexible with delivery times.