Want some ideas to cut down the cost of eating? Then follow these suggestions:

1. Eat breakfast. What is the most important meal of the day? If you answered breakfast, you were correct. It’s also the cheapest and fastest meal to prepare to do at home. Eating breakfast is important as it has been 10 hours since you last ate.

2. Buy staples. Beans, pasta, and oats are really inexpensive and filling. Frozen vegetables and canned fish don’t go bad before you can use them. Eggs, peanut butter and beans are all inexpensive protein.

3. Be careful what you drink. Sodas, energy drinks, coffee and alcohol are dehydrating and costly. Water and milk are inexpensive and healthy. Refillable water bottles pay for themselves within days.

4. Do some planning. It is hard to think of something to eat when you are tired, hungry and in a hurry. Make something in your crock pot that will last a day or two. Keep some ingredients on hand that you can quickly use to make a meal. Small containers heat faster than large ones. A nutritious meal had something from each of the food groups: grain, meat, fruit, vegetable and milk.

Source: Spend Smart.Eat Smart Iowa Extension