MyPlate Tips For Every Aisle

Healthy eating starts with what you put in your cart. To get the most nutritious foods for your dollar, follow the Tips for Every Aisle below.

Find fruits and vegetables in the produce section, frozen foods, and in the canned and pantry food aisles. Compare prices to find the best buys.

  • Buy “in season” produce which often costs less and is at peak flavor. Buy only what you can use before it spoils. For more info check out the Seasonal Produce Guide from SNAP-Ed Connection.
  • Choose fruits canned in 100% fruit juice and vegetables with “low-sodium” or “no salt added” on the label. These products are just as nutritious and fresh, and often cost less.
  • If you have the freezer space, stock up on frozen vegetables without added sauces or butter. Frozen vegetables are as good for you as fresh and may cost less.
  • Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables last much longer then fresh. They can be a quick way to add fruits and vegetables to your meal.

Find grains in many areas of the store, including the bread, cereal, tortilla, snack, and pasta and rice aisles.

  • Make half your grains whole grains. Types of whole grains include whole wheat bread and flour, whole-grain tortillas, brown rice, bulgur, oatmeal, cornmeal, quinoa, farro, amaranth, and rye.
  • While shopping, check ingredient lists and pick the items that have a whole grain listed first.
  • Rice and pasta  are budget-friendly grain options.
  • Choose hot cereals like plain oatmeal or whole-grain dry cereal.
  • Try new whole-grain snack ideas, like switching to whole-wheat crackers, or popping your own popcorn or amaranth.

Find protein foods throughout the entire store. They can be found in the fresh meat section, frozen foods section, dairy section, and canned and pantry food aisles.

  • Some low-cost protein foods include beans, peas, and lentils, nuts and nut butters, seeds like pepitas, eggs, dairy, and canned fish.
  • Beans, peas, and lentils,such as kidney beans, lima beans, split peas, and garbanzo beans (chickpeas), cost less than many other protein foods.
  • To lower meat costs, buy the family-sized or value pack and freeze what you won’t use immediately.
  • Choose lean meats like skinless chicken and turkey, pork loin and 93% lean/fat-free ground beef and pork.
  • Seafood doesn’t have to cost a lot. Try buying canned tuna, salmon, mackerel, or sardines. These items store well and are a low-cost option.
  • Don’t forget about eggs! They’re a great low-cost option that’s easy to make.

Find dairy foods in the refrigerated and pantry aisles.

  • Choose low-fat or fat-free milk. These have just as much calcium, but fewer calories than whole and 2% milk.
  • Buy the larger size of non-fat or low-fat plain yogurt instead of single flavored yogurt. Then add your own flavors by mixing in fruits.
  • Choose cheese and cottage cheese products with “reduced fat,” or “low-fat” on the label such as part skim milk queso.
  • Check the sell-by date to make sure you’re buying the freshest products.

  • Choose water instead of sodas or other high-sugar drinks. Water is easy on your wallet and has zero calories. Take a reusable water bottle when on the go.
  • Save time, money, and calories by skipping the chip and cookie aisles.
  • Choose the checkout lane without the candy shelves, especially if you have kids with you.

Adapted from MyPlate.gov

Shelf Labels and Unit Pricing

Smart shoppers look at the grocery store shelf label. Why? Because it usually lists the retail price and the ‘unit price’. The retail price is what you will pay for one, single item. The unit price allows you to compare the cost of similar foods, in different size packages, by a specific ‘unit’ – typically per ounce. This way you know if you are getting a good deal or not.

Unit Price Calculator
unit price

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