According to ConAgra Foods’ recent survey, 25 percent more Americans are now bringing their lunches to work than last year. And, 44 percent of respondents said they would prefer to spend less on food.
Deals can be found in any supermarket for money-saving options. These are the top tips from Phil Lempert (Supermarket Guru) and the Food Trends Editor for NBC News’ Today Show:
Purchase frozen or canned fruits, vegetables. Cans and frozen goods are cheaper than fresh produce, and they can provide more nutrition. One-half cup canned diced tomatoes has more than three times as much lycopene as one medium uncooked tomato. “Canned produce, like Hunt’s tomatoes, are grown in California and are picked at the peak of ripeness, so they offer more nutrients and flavor than those picked before they are ripe,” says Lempert.
Bake chicken nuggets at your home. While children love chicken nuggets and their parents will enjoy feeding them breaded mystery food, some parents might not be as fond of giving their children these delicious treats. Look in your freezer for all-white-meat chicken nuggets like Banquet Chicken Nuggets. Banquet is able to provide nearly four times the number of nuggets at a fraction of the cost of a fast-food nugget meal.
Avoid expensive gourmet hot cocoa from coffee shops. A box with 8 hot cocoa packets costs less than $3. You can also find great start cocoas and Swiss Miss Pick-Me-Up varieties, which contain added vitamins and caffeine.
To save money and calories, bring your lunch with you to work. A recent survey revealed that 60 percent of office workers eat their lunch at work. Lempert suggests that you try new, shelf-stable convenience foods like Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers to spice up your lunch. They are a smart and healthy alternative to expensive deli meals or boring brown-bagged lunches.
– Say “cheese.”The dairy case, cheese tables and deli are all places you should be looking for next time you go to the grocery store. It will be obvious that the same cheese product can be purchased at different prices. You can find it at the dairy case for 20-25 percent less.
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