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Utilize the Pantry for Your Food Budget

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 Whether you’re a student on a low budget or a parent trying to keep the food bills at bay, we could all use some tips on managing our grocery budget properly so we can save more money. Grocery shopping on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your health.   

There are several easy ways to stretch your food budget and still enjoy delicious healthy meals. Here are just a few: 

  • Use a Budget 
    • Food is a big chunk of your budget. Having a budget and sticking to it is a big part of making the most of the resources you have. 
    • Use cash when shopping at the grocery store. Cash is a great way to limit those little “splurges” that are so tempting in the grocery aisles. 
  • Don’t Shop When You Are Hungry 
    • If you shop for groceries when you are hungry, it can be hard to resist the many temptations found around every corner and at the end of every aisle.
  • Make a Grocery List 
    • Making a list helps you not only stick to a budget, but it helps you remember what you need.  
    • Using a pre-made grocery list allows you to “shop” your pantry before heading to the store. Marking off items you don’t need is a great way to “remember” what you don’t need when you are shopping. 
  • Plan Your Meals 
    • Planning your meals will save time and reduce stress because you don’t have to spend time thinking about “what’s for dinner”. 
  • Learn to Cook 
    • Cooking is way cheaper than eating out and it’s a lot healthier too! Not only can you save money by learning to cook, but you also save in extra calories that come with eating out. 
  • Use Leftovers 
    • Save your money. Save your leftovers. Planning for leftovers is not only a great way to stretch your grocery budget, but it saves you time in the kitchen by cooking less!
  • Learn how to Stock Your Pantry and Store Your Groceries
    • Having items like canned fruits, vegetables, pasta, and rice that won’t spoil quickly helps stretch your grocery budget.  
    • Remember to check expiration dates and rotate items so that those that are closer to the expiration date are used first. 

Ideas for comfort meal starters from the pantry include: 

  • Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup: Ramen Noodles + canned carrots + canned chicken  
  •  Minestrone Soup: Pasta + Great Northern Beans + diced tomatoes  
  •  Corn Chowder: Canned corn + Canned potatoes + cheese   
  •  Southwest Chicken Soup: Canned chicken + black beans + canned diced chilies and tomatoes  

Stay Studious During Finals Week with Help From The Bear Pantry

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As finals week approaches, life can get hectic and stressful with tests and projects sneaking up. Many are studying all-night, neglecting their well-being and health at this crucial time to put their grades first.  

 

To perform the best, include nutritious foods to fuel your brain and body. This is where the Bear Pantry can help!  

 

At the Bear Pantry, many different food items can be found. Some options are milk, fresh produce, cheese sticks, granola bars, canned goods, and microwavable meals.  

 

Keeping your nutrition up during these stressful times is important. Our brains use energy in the form of glucose, a sugar found in carbohydrate foods. The Bear Pantry offers carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice, quinoa, fruit, potatoes and corn. When we study, our brain uses more fuel. This is why we may feel hungry after studying for a long time. Eating carbs will help reenergize our thinking tank. Including a carb source throughout the day will keep us going to retain more information and support our health and grades. It’s a win-win! 

 

Pairing carbohydrate foods with protein foods like cheese sticks, peanut butter, nuts, and canned meat can help us feel full for longer. Protein slows the digestion of carbs in our stomach, allowing for a slower release of sugar into our blood, which eventually makes its way to the brain. Pair carbs and protein to avoid sugar crashes and increase your study time for longer.  

 

Here are some quick carb and protein pairings for long bouts of studying: 

  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 
  • Rice with canned tuna 
  • Hard boiled egg with crackers 
  • Peanut butter with graham crackers  
  • Granola bar and cheese stick 
  • Greek yogurt with fruit and granola 
  • Cereal with milk 

 

The Bear Pantry frequently has these protein and carb food items to make these pairings, so come check us out! We are open Mondays 10am-3pm, Tuesdays 10am-3pm, Wednesdays 12pm-5pm, and Thursdays 10am-3pm.