Have you ever purchased a nutrient-packed £6 carrot-apple smoothie for your toddler and watched her spill it on the floor of the supermarket? Or did he buy a bag of fresh cherries and finds that it cost £16 at the checkout counter? It’s painful — and it can make you feel healthy eating is beyond the budget of your family.

Yet experts suggest it doesn’t have to be too pricey for nutritious meals and snacks. If you’re a busy parent trying to put healthy food in the lunch boxes of your kids, you can do it without tapping your college fund. When you shop, you just need to make good choices.

Why Do We Think Better Food Costs More?

In general, people assume that ‘healthy’ is comparable to ‘expensive.’ But that’s not the case. One element of the issue is that “safe” can be confused with other labels that raise prices, such as “clean” or “gluten-free.”

However, you can have a nutritious diet without worrying about those extra labels unless you have a diagnosed medical condition. The key is to eat more whole foods and fewer processed ones.

Tips for Sticking To Your Budget

So what are some ways you can keep your grocery bill down while eating healthy for your family?

• Have a Plan Before You Shop: Have you ever taken a wellness kick, bought a cart of fruits and vegetables, and then left them to rot in the crisp drawer of your refrigerator? The only way to prevent this is not to buy an opportunity. Before you go, plan your meals, so you know exactly what you’ll need, says Rumsey.
• Compare The Alternatives And Pay Attention To Portion Size: Yeah, less than a bag of apples costs a big bag of chips. But think about how many sweets you’ll get out of it before you catch the chips. Rumsey says, “When your kid eats a quarter of a bag of chips for a serving, it only lasts four days.” “More than a week will last for that bag of apples.”
• Choose a Cheaper Protein: Protein per serving is potentially one of the most costly items on your shopping list. But you don’t have to stick your protein with red meat or fish. For example, for a few bucks, you can purchase a bag of lentils and get five or six protein meals.
• Go Frozen: Buy them frozen when the fruits and vegetables you want aren’t in season. Typically, they are frozen right after they are selected. In reality, they might have more nutrients than “new” produce shipped from far away.
• Buy Seasonally: Don’t just keep having the same year-round fruits and vegetables, says Rumsey. Pay attention to what’s in season. There will be lower costs and fresher fruits and vegetables.

Finally, take note of this: more expensive does not always imply healthier. Don’t be seduced by co-ops, organic labels, or marketing gimmicks for fancy food. Irrespective of the budget, don’t always choose your food based on extravagance. Saving money on grocery shopping just requires a good plan and following it strictly.