P reparing healthy meals and snacks means having fruits and vegetables on hand. This may be hard to do on a limited budget. Use meal planning to prepare healthy food at home and save money. Enjoy home-cooked, nutritious meals with your family all month long with these tips.

First... 

#1 Do a search with your kids of all the fresh, frozen, pureed, dried, and canned fruits and veggies you already have on hand.

#2 Involve your kids to find yummy recipes. Show kids pictures to get them excited about new ideas. Use Health eKitchen to look for recipes with WIC approved foods. Start with recipes that include the foods you already have on hand.

#3 Make a grocery list of the items you need after you choose a recipe or two. 

#4 Complete your grocery list with the other food items you need including a variety of other fresh, frozen, pureed, dried, and canned fruits and veggies.

Consider these things when planning:

• Plan for fruits and vegetables to be HALF of the plate...and then add protein and grains. 
• Plan to include fruits and vegetables you can grab as quick snacks, or turn into soups and casseroles. Soups and casseroles can be dinner for one day and lunch for another. Manage leftovers by labeling, organizing, and storing correctly.
  
  

Did you know?

Some vegetable and grain combinations are equal to a meat protein. Try these affordable combinations:

• Beans and rice
• Peanut butter and banana on whole grain bread
• Whole grain pasta and beans
• Hummus and fresh vegetables on whole grain bread or crackers
• Oatmeal with peanut butter and banana