Guest post by Elena Kwan, a UBC Dietetics student
As a dietetics student at UBC, I love grocery shopping. However, I’ve noticed that I’ve been more selective about which foods to place in my basket due to a rise in my grocery bills. Like many other Canadians, I’ve found it challenging to keep up with inflation and I’ve had to be creative to keep my grocery bills within my budget.
According to the 2024 Canada’s Food Price Report, vegetables, meat and bakery items are expected to have the greatest price increases this year. On the bright side, dry goods and non-perishable goods are expected to stay the same. Dairy and fruit are expected to have smaller price increases compared to foods in vegetables, meat and bakery.
Top three ways to save money on your grocery bill
Here are my top three tips for saving money on groceries in 2024.
1. Create shopping lists, use online flyers and collect points!
I love to create shopping lists before grocery shopping. This allows me to plan out my meals for the week ahead, stay within budget, and helps prevent me from buying too many groceries.
I also use online flyers and coupons to create my grocery list, as it allows me to buy items that are on sale that week. Shopping at stores that have loyalty programs to convert my points into free groceries is another great way to reduce my grocery bill.
2. Shop in the dry goods and canned foods section
Since dry and non-perishable goods are one of the areas that will be least affected by price increases in 2024, take advantage of it! I have been buying dried grains such as quinoa, rice and oats. Canned chickpeas, beans and dried lentils are great alternatives to meat, they last longer and save me time cooking.
Related Stories@IH: Top 5 ways to reduce food waste to save money – and the planet
3. The freezer is your best friend
I love to shop in the frozen aisles. Frozen meat, poultry and fish are often cheaper frozen than fresh. Also, frozen vegetables and fruits are often cheaper, have a longer shelf life, and are just as nutritious as fresh produce. Lastly, I love to make meals and batch freeze them. With this, I save time on cooking fresh meals, reduce food waste and can plan for more variety with my meals.
Related Stories@IH: 5 reasons to choose frozen produce over fresh
Find nutrition and dietitian services at IH
Dietitians at Interior Health work to improve access to healthy food, improve people’s food shopping and preparation skills, and promote the social and cultural aspects of eating.
Find nutrition and dietitian services in your area
March is National Nutrition Month, and Dietitians of Canada is shining a spotlight on their profession. Learn more.
This article was written by Elena Kwan, a UBC Dietetics student living in Vancouver. She completed her Population Health practicum with Interior Health.
Enjoyed this story?
Sign up to receive the Stories@IH email digest twice a week to your inbox.
The winter and holiday season can bring joy, but can also bring stresses and challenges. Explore these 10 tips for supporting for mental and physical health.
/stories/10-healthy-habits-winter-and-holiday-season
Party more safely this holiday season with these tips from our Harm Reduction team.
/stories/checklist-safer-celebrating-season
Meet Sue Raymer, president the of the Castlegar & District Hospital Foundation, and learn more about her and her fundraising journey in Castlegar.
/stories/foundation-spotlight-series-castlegar-district-hospital-foundation
Stephenie has lived in Vancouver, Ontario, and Vernon and brings her fun and positive attitude to her role as an administrator at Vernon Health Unit.
/stories/we-are-ih-small-mighty-admin-assistant-loves-boost-morale
Slips, trips, and falls can happen at any time of the year, but we typically see an increase in these incidents when conditions are snowy and icy.
/stories/how-prevent-slips-trips-falls-winter
Many of us will attend holiday gatherings and with more opportunities to drink alcohol, it can be easy to overindulge. Learn how to celebrate in a healthy way.
/stories/holiday-spirit-tips-drinking-moderation-season
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!
