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Close As adietitian on a budget, I try to meal plan to start my week as it helps me save money, cut down on food waste and save time in the kitchen. That said, life gets busy and no one is perfect. Especially when I’m returning home from travel or after hectic weekends, it’s harder to take inventory of my kitchen, meal plan and get to the grocery store. During those weeks, I rely on these healthy, super easy dinner recipes....

Welcome toThrifty. A weekly column where assistant nutrition editor and registered dietitian, Jessica Ball, keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two, and make earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire lifeOne easy way to eat healthier is tomake foods from scratch instead of buyingthem premade. With a little know-how and planning, it can boost the nutrition of your meals and help you customize flavors....

In This ArticleView AllIn This Article1. Canned Tomatoes2. Canned Tuna3. Parmigiano Reggiano4. Peanut Butter5. Chicken Thighs6. Ground Beef7. Seltzer In This ArticleView All View All In This Article Canned Tomatoes Canned Tuna Parmigiano Reggiano Peanut Butter Chicken Thighs Ground Beef Seltzer ClosePhoto:Getty ImagesCostco has an incredibly loyal following, and I can see why. Their products are reasonably priced, regularly change to match the seasons and boast a reliable quality....

CloseI’ve learned from experience that when I have a busy week, a little planning can go a long way. Even though it takes a little more time on the front end, there are severalmeals that I make aheadto save time later in the week when I really need it. Beat midday hunger with these nutritious lunches sure to give you an energy boost without sparing any flavor. Budget-friendly recipes like Rice & Bean Freezer Burritos and Tuna & White Bean Salad help me eat healthy when I need lunch in a pinch....

ClosePhoto:Jen CauseyWelcome toThrifty. A weekly column where nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two, and make Earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire life.As adietitian on a budget, I’m always looking for ways to help my dollar go further at the grocery store. For this reason, I started adding more canned beans to my cart a few years ago....

Close 01of 11Caesar Salad DressingView RecipeDouble this recipe to have extra dressing on hand for tomorrow night’s salad.02of 11Lemon-Garlic VinaigretteView RecipeEva KolenkoWhile a 1-to-2 acid-to-oil ratio is common for vinaigrette, shifting it to 1-to-1½ yields a dressing with a brighter flavor and fewer calories. That means for every ½ cup of acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, use 3/4 cup of oil. Here’s a good all-purpose take on the formula....

Close When thinking about meal prep, you might think of breakfast, lunch or dinner. But one meal that is often overlooked: snacks! It’s helpful to have healthy snacks at-the-ready for when hunger strikes (or to help tide you over until your next meal). Much like other meals, healthy snacks can be made ahead of time to simplify your week while saving you time and money. These recipes are some of my favorites for a lot of reasons—they all showcase filling and healthy ingredients like nuts and legumes, they’re budget-friendly and many are even shelf stable or can be frozen....

Close Summer is the perfect time to lean into fruits and vegetables. A robust variety of produce is in season from May to September, so it’s a great time to take advantage of their flavor and the nutrition they offer. These sides are some of my favorites when I want to add a serving of vegetables to a meal or if I have ample garden crops like zucchini or tomatoes to use up....

CloseYour day is busy. You’ve got to get the kids to school, or you need to get yourself to work. Then somehow, you also need to complete countless tasks and chores. At some point, usually towards the end of the day, the realization that dinner is fast approaching hits. If you’re a perfect planner, you’re not sweating it. But if you live life a little more on the edge (or if the day hasn’t gone according to plan), this can be a stressful time....

Close Photo: Casey Barber Welcome toThrifty. A weekly column where nutrition editor and registered dietitian, Jessica Ball, keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two and make Earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire life. I’m basically always thinking about my next meal, and the start of a new week is no exception. While I don’t plan out every meal of every day, I do recognize that having a few things at-the-ready to start the week can really simplify your life....

Welcome toThrifty, aweekly column where nutrition editor and registered dietitian, Jessica Ball, keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two and make earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire life.I’m adietitian on a budget, and the choices I make grocery shopping reflect that. I only shop for myself and my partner, so Costco sizes don’t always make sense for us. But there are still a few itemsI choose to buy at Costcobecause of their impressive quality and competitive prices (looking at you,meat counter)....

Close Photo: Matthew Benson Welcome toThrifty. A weekly column where nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two, and make Earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire life. Growing up, my family enjoyed spending time around the table and sharing a meal together. While my mom was the head chef indoors, my dad was the master of the grill....

Close Photo:Getty Images Getty Images Welcome toThrifty. A weekly column where nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball keeps it real on how to grocery shop on a budget, make healthy meals for one or two, and make Earth-friendly choices without overhauling your entire life. I’m a Dietitian & These Are 12 Recipes I Make with a Box of Oats Baked oats are great for so many reasons: they’re versatile, super healthy and a great way touse up a lot of fruit—including fruit preserves like cranberry sauce....