Tips for buying fruit & veggies on a budget

Fruits and vegetables can be expensive. If you're shopping on a budget, it might be tempting to completely skip the fresh produce aisles and go straight to cheaper, packaged foods.

While you might save money by skipping fruits and veggies, they are important for your health. Your body needs a range of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to function properly, and fruits and vegetables are abundant in these essential nutrients and may help protect you against some diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Ideally, a healthy diet includes produce in a wide range of colors to maximize nutrient intake. But if you're trying to reduce your food-related spending, how can you continue to eat fruits and vegetables without going over your budget? Here are a few top tips:

• Buy in season - generally, fruits and veggies are cheaper when it's their optimal season for growth.
• Consider frozen fruit and vegetables. They are as nutritious as fresh produce but can be less expensive.
• Check your local grocery store's flyers for weekly sales.
• Make a list of upcoming meals and snacks so you don't buy too many fresh products that will spoil before you can eat them.
• Use your leftover fruits and vegetables for future meals and snacks instead of throwing them away.