If you are someone who is budget-conscious and loves planning your meals for the work week ahead of time, this article is for you. Before meal planning, be sure to talk to your doctor about what foods are right for you and fit your lifestyle and health condition.

• Consider Your Budget Before Grocery Shopping – It's important to know your budget ahead of time. Determine what your allotted grocery budget is for the month and then divide that by 4 or 5 depending on how many weeks there are in the month. This will help you stay within your budget while doing your shopping for the week!

• Eliminate Unnecessary Costs – It can be easy to make impulse-purchases like beverages and snack foods that aren't on your grocery list. Be sure to stick to the basics and only purchase what you went to the store for to eliminate unnecessary costs. Remember that refilling a reusable container can be more cost-effective than purchasing canned or bottled drinks.

• Get in a Routine – Life can throw many curveballs, but getting in a routine with when you purchase your groceries, plan your meals, and actually prep them for the workweek can help. Many people recommend doing all of your shopping and planning over the weekend to have a seamless work week. Reserve time on your calendar each week for these specific tasks so that they aren't forgotten or overlooked in the busy-ness of life. 

What are some of your favorite ways to save while meal planning? We want to hear from you! Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.

The Paragon Pantry is all about sharing fun recipes, dinner ideas, and kitchen tips that encourage living a healthy and balanced life, not providing medical or nutritional advice. For more information about The Paragon Pantry, visit https://paragonhealthcare.com/the-paragon-pantry/.