Escalating food costs are taking a big bite out of household budgets, but there are many ways you can feed your family well for less. It means taking a hard look at the economic and nutritional value of the foods and beverages that fill your grocery cart.

One of the products you can’t afford to be without is milk. Like many household expenses milk prices are on the rise, but milk offers more nutrients per penny than almost any other beverage option in the supermarket. It’s one of the most nutrient-rich foods on your grocery list – providing key vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D that are so important for the entire family.

At about 25 cents per 8-ounce glass, on a gallon basis, milk is a bargain when you think of all the liquid assets inside. It remains one of the best ways to ensure your family’s diet is nutritious and balanced during these hard economic times. It’s important not to skimp on the three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend each day.

When discretionary income is falling, that’s when you need to cut some of your discretionary calories. That means don’t waste your money on foods and beverages that don’t have much to offer nutritionally. One of the easiest ways to trim your grocery bill of “empty calories” is to bypass the sugary sodas and reach for milk instead.

Sugary beverages like soft drinks and fruit drinks are a major source of empty calories and can be a major expense to your grocery bill. Make sure that they’re not a major expense to your health by choosing more nutritious beverages like lowfat or fat free milk.

Now more than ever you need to be sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck at the grocery store. Milk is an extremely cost-efficient source of calcium — one of the nutrients that most Americans fail to get enough of. But don’t think you’ll be making a smart trade-off by choosing a calcium-fortified drink instead of milk. These beverages actually cost more per glass than milk and are unlikely to have the eight other essential nutrients that milk delivers. There’s just no comparison, as milk is one of the most nutrient-rich beverages you can buy, supplying nine essential nutrients that you and your family need, including calcium, vitamin D, protein, vitamin A and potassium.

Milk is one of the most economical sources of protein. At a time when you’re planning meals to make every dollar count, it’s good to know that you’re getting a good source of high-quality protein with every glass of milk you drink.

There’s no cutting corners when it comes to milk, so don’t skimp on the three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk that’s recommended each day by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Go to whymilk.com for smart grocery shopping tips and to learn more about why milk is a smart, nutritious buy.