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Let’s face it. Times are hard. Costs of food, gas, utilities and housing have significantly increased since the midst of the covid pandemic in 2020.
Some of us have transportation challenges.
For some of us, it’s about budget.
For some of us, it’s about convenience because we don’t have time to waste driving to that grocery store because we are juggling kids, multiple jobs, education, you name it.
Another issue is trying to find food on a budget AND that is accessible. I live in a rural part of New England. Some people have to travel miles and miles to their closest grocery store. What does each rural town have in common?
A dollar store.
It is not uncommon for people to shop at the dollar store for their grocery needs because it’s accessible and affordable.
I know dollar store food is not the absolute best option. You can’t buy fresh fruits and vegetables or local farm meats. The complicated issue regarding the lack of access to healthy food for some populations is another blog post for another day. (Don’t worry, this post will be coming in the near future!)
So here is the question: how do we find healthy food within reach and on a budget at the dollar store?
I embarked on a field trip to the closest dollar store to go shopping!
Let me tell you about a few of my cost-friendly finds!
Nuts. Nuts are a great source of healthy fats, protein and fiber. If you’re looking for a snack with more nutrients than the bag of chips or crackers, nuts are a great choice (as long as you or the people around you don’t have any nut allergies!)
Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great source of fiber and whole grains. You can do many things with oatmeal! You can make desserts, serve it for a hot or cold breakfast with fruit, make your own granola bars and so much more!
Water. You can buy jugs or cases of water. Hydration is important. Did you know that the human body is made up of water? Do you know we need water to absorb vitamins in our bodies? Water is essential and absolutely necessary! I love buying water to store in the pantry just in case the power goes out from a bad storm, or if you forget to wash your fancy reusable water bottles.
Broth. Cartons of broth are great to store in the pantry and you can keep them for a long time. You can choose your preferred type of broth. There are many kinds of broth: chicken, vegetable, beef and bone. if you have to watch your sodium or salt-intake, you can even buy low-sodium broth as an option. Broth is great for making soups or flavoring your favorite homemade dishes. You can even drink a cup of soothing, warm broth to give your body some electrolytes after a run-in with a nasty stomach bug. Some people enjoy broth after a workout or morning run. Just remember, once you open a carton of broth, you should store it in the refrigerator and use it within 7-10 days of opening.
Eggs. Surprisingly, some dollar stores sell cartons of eggs. Eggs have a lot of nutrients packed in them. Eggs contain B-vitamins, protein, iron and other nutrients. You can make eggs in a variety of ways for breakfast and you can make many meals with them. People love to make quiches, and souffles with eggs! You can even hard boil eggs for a filling and high-protein snack.
Beans. A bag or can of beans can go a long way! Beans will fill up your belly with protein and fiber. One of my favorite healthy dishes to make with beans are chickpeas and cucumbers with Italian dressing. You can use beans with tacos, rice and beans, and many casseroles. People that are vegetarian, vegan or eat a plant-based diet can get their protein from beans as a replacement for meats. Beans are a great healthy food to keep stocked in your pantry.
Frozen Vegetables. Speaking of cucumbers, some dollar stores even sell frozen vegetables! These are great convenient options to throw with your meals and they can store much longer in the freezer compared to fresh produce. Frozen vegetables still have a good amount of nutrients, even if the vegetables aren’t fresh. Vegetables are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Vegetables are also low in calories so you can eat more of them. Your body will thank you later. 🙂
Remember, we can add wellness to our lives without breaking the budget.
I hope that you keep an eye out for these healthy finds at your local dollar store during your next shopping trip! There are some healthy food items next to the junk food on the shelves.
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