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SACRAMENTO, CA—August 12, 2008 – With rising food costs leaving families on tighter budgets this back-to-school season, a free family meal-planning and nutrition website offers tips on cost savings without sacrificing healthy eating.

Research links good nutrition with better grades and classroom behavior, and each fall the Meals Matter website offers tips to help families form healthy habits as their routines change from summer to the school year. This year, Meals Matter, a free family meal-planning and nutrition guide staffed by registered dietitians and sponsored by Dairy Council of California, is highlighting how those habits help families improve their health and save money.

"Many practical budget tips go hand-in-hand with expert nutrition advice, so you can still eat healthy despite food costs,” said Andrea Garen, M.A., R.D., project manager with Dairy Council of California. “These tips, plus planning your meals around nutrient-rich foods like low-fat milk, yogurt, whole grains and vegetables, stretch the family food dollar and build healthy habits for back-to-school."

Here’s a sample of the healthy and money-saving tips available in the back-to-school section of the Meals Matter website.

Shop smart. Discount cards, coupons and in-store promotions are simple money-savers. Look for “two-for-one” offers on milk and shop store brands that cost less but offer the same quality as name brands.

Use less gas by making fewer trips to the grocery store. Use the meal planner tool on Meals Matter to chart meals for the entire week based on what’s on sale at the grocery store. Print out a shopping list and make all of your purchases in one trip.

Start the day with breakfast at home. Avoid expensive convenience foods from coffee shops or vending machines. Simple breakfast foods like yogurt, whole-wheat bread, fruit and cereal also provide important nutrients often lacking in convenience foods. Visit Meals Matter to check out some kid-friendly breakfast foods featured for back-to-school.

Eliminate wasted food left uneaten in the refrigerator or pantry. Soups, casseroles and stews, which can be frozen and reheated, are a great way to avoid wasting vegetables, milk and cheese.

Make time for family meals at home. Cooking at home is an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with your children. Meals prepared at home are often more nutritious and less expensive than restaurant meals.

Visit Meals Matter for more ways to improve your family’s health, academic performance and your bottom-line this school year. While you’re there, use free tools to search for healthy recipes, create a personal meal plan and generate your own shopping list to help your family save money.

Meals Matter is a non-commercial family nutrition and meal-planning website staffed by registered dietitians and sponsored by Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier®.

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