If you’re like other families, your food expenses to creep upward, taking more and more of the family budget. You can get control over your grocery spending with strategies that will not only allow you to eat tasty dishes, but will also improve your health and the health of your family. Here are four ways to cut costs in the kitchen by trimming your food expenses.

Buy in Bulk to Save Money

Buying a larger quantity of an item generally results in a lower cost per serving, so shop at stores that offer large quantity purchasing to help lower your overall food bill. Additionally, many generic brand products are just as high in quality as name-brand products and can be much cheaper.

Use Technology to Lower Costs

Your smartphone can help you find the best deals on many items at your favorite supermarket. Download their app to find the weekly specials or coupons that are offered. You can also check the internet for good deals on staples such as ground coffee, cereals, pasta and paper products, often in bulk.

Cut Down on Your Meat Consumption

Although your family may not want to give up meat entirely, you can cut portions a bit, without anyone noticing. You can also add more vegetables, either fresh or frozen, to many dishes without changing the flavor significantly, and with greater nutritional benefits. For example, you can substitute some of the meat in a casserole with cut up carrots or zucchini. Consider non-meat substitutes, such as textured vegetable protein. This dry product is re-constituted with liquid and can be used in spaghetti sauces or chili as you would ground beef. Or try other meat substitutes, such as pea protein, tofu or beans.

Get Creative with Cooking

If you’re stuck in a rut with your usual recipes that break the household budget for food, look for new recipes or re-designs of older recipes that use food components more efficiently, and be open to trying new foods. Sometimes, cooking larger quantities that can be used for several different meals can be an excellent way to stretch your supermarket budget. Forego the expensive packaged snack foods and make your own healthier snacks, such as granola bars, popcorn and frozen treats.

Spending too much on your food budget is a common problem that can strain family budgets. However, you can implement a number of strategies to trim those expenses and eat healthier than before.

Addy Reeds is a freelance writer from Eugene, Oregon. She discovered her passion for journalism while attending the University of Oregon. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @addyreeds1; https://www.facebook.com/addy.reeds