The average grocery bill for a family of four in the United States is anywhere from $586 to $1,159. For most American families, meats make up forty percent or more of that food spending budget. Within the next five years, food costs are expected to rise which is why it is very important cut down your grocery budget. Eating cheaper, however, should not mean eating less healthily.
Math behind any cheap diet
A healthy cheap diet doesn’t necessarily mean a diet that takes more work. Although $1 burgers from a restaurant may seem cheap, they’re expensive. Each month a family of four will eat 360 meals. Even a very liberal food budget of $1,159 means each meal for each person needs to clock in at no more than $3.22. Cutting down how much you spend is easy by eating less meat.
Being a ‘weekday vegetarian’
Despite the fact that it may be cheaper to go completely vegetarian, individuals are unwilling to make that move. . You can also try making meat a smaller portion of your meal – the USDA recommended serving size for meat is just three ounces, not the five to eight that most Americans eat. If you eat just just a little less meat, your checkbook will thank you.
What should you eat?
If you are not eating meat, that doesn’t mean that your vegetables should replace every little thing with your diet (though vegetables never hurt anybody). A total protein, though, is essential in helping you feel satisfied after a meal. Replacing your meat, then, with some other protein is important. Replace your costly meat with:
- Rice and beans – about 20 cents per serving
- Hummus – 30 cents per serving
- Lentils with a nut sauce – about 45 cents per serving
- 25 cents per serving – oatmeal with milk
The essential idea is to combine legumes, grains and nuts together. Protein isn’t made with these 3 groups alone. Together, any two do.
