Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about cutting your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition. By cooking from scratch, planning meals, making a grocery list and focusing on good foods, you can improve your diet while cutting costs.
While eliminating non-nutritious extras helps lower your grocery bill, you don’t have to eliminate all treats. Dr. Jo Ann Carson, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says limiting portions is a good way to enjoy treats. For instance, instead of buying cookies from the grocery store bakery, buy refrigerated dough and use only enough dough to bake a few cookies at a time in the toaster oven. That reduces the urge to overeat and spreads the treats — and the cost — out over time. Buying in bulk at warehouse clubs can save you money, but only if you’re not buying too much of things you don’t need. Go in with a friend and split your purchases.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/nutrition to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in nutrition.
