It’s true that eating healthier often leads to your bank balance looking somewhat emptier at the month’s end. When it comes to those with a lower income, it can be challenging to eat properly. The $5 difference per item might look small, but it racks up at the end when you’re ready to pay.
To help you combat this problem so that you can look after your body and wallet, we’re going to show you how to eat healthy on a budget.
Saving food costs isn’t merely about choosing the cheapest options. You need to do things a different way, and we’re going to give you the best tips for doing so.
If you don’t have a plan for what to buy, you generally walk down each aisle, throwing items into the trolly without thinking. When the end of the month comes, you’ve thrown most of the food away, or they’re still sitting in your freezer. Planning what you’re going to eat for the week ahead will save you wastage and unnecessary purchases.
Every now and again, stores love to provide discounts during special events. They also create coupons to introduce you to a new product. If there’s a specific product that you enjoy consuming, keep a lookout for these specials.
There are plenty of online vendors that provide meal kit delivery services, such as Trifecta Nutrition, Blue Apron, and Green Chef. They buy the ingredients and prepare them for you, based on a meal plan you choose for the next few weeks. You can often pay less than purchasing the groceries yourself, especially if you subscribe and freeze any extra leftovers.
One sustainable way for how to eat healthy on a budget is by growing your own herb and vegetable garden. You have two options. You can buy inexpensive seeds at the store or merely plant the seeds from the food you’re eating. Either way, you’ll have an ample supply of veggies and herbs for the summer months.
Stores generally charge less for an entire chicken than the portions they prepare with spices and marinade. You’re paying extra for packaging, additional ingredients, and labor. Save them the trouble and yourself the money, and prepare the chicken in your kitchen with loving care.
You may find that your local store prepares healthy meals using ingredients that they sell in the shop. It’s often more affordable to purchase these servings, especially if they sell their own brand of ingredients.
Most nutritionists know that protein is the building block of a healthy and strong body. You don’t need to buy expensive food to obtain the daily protein you require, as cheaper options also exist. For example, beans have a vast amount of protein that you can buy in bulk.
Maintaining a grocery list has the same significance as creating a meal plan. You can often compare how much you spent on items the previous month, leading to increased savings.
Those canned and processed foods in the center of the store look fantastic and easy to use for meals, right? The problem is that they often have refined sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. While it may save your budget, you’re not doing your body any favors.
Sometimes working out how to eat healthy on a budget can be as simple as switching to water instead of sodas and sugar-loaded fruit juices. Try this out for a few weeks by drinking more water when you wake up, during the day, and before going to sleep. You’ll be amazed at how good you feel.
This tip relates to our point of throwing everything in your trolly that pleases your eye. If you created your meal plan and made the monthly grocery list, it’ll be less tempting to buy things you don’t need by shopping online. Of course, practice avoiding adverts that tease you into purchasing an unnecessary item.
Instead of buying all the fresh fruit and vegetables you need and ending up with waste, you can opt for the pre-cut items in the freezers. It’ll last you longer and save you money from rebuying any fruit that has gone bad.
Local markets are the best sources for eating healthy on a budget. They often grow the produce at home or deliver them from nearby farms, leading to massive savings while ensuring you have fresh food. You might even see a unique take on a meal you enjoy.
Grocery stores love to entice new customers to buy their products with loyalty cards. The more you shop, the greater the savings. On some occasions, you can only participate in discounts if you have a membership card. They’ll also issue pamphlets indicating which items are on sale if you swipe at the counter.
A disorganized food cupboard or pantry can lead to increased waste and expenses. If you can’t find the ingredients you’re looking for, you’ll usually run to the store to get it. Pack your items in a way that makes sense to you, so you know where to find everything.
As you can see from our detailed article, you don’t need to be a millionaire to eat healthily. There are so many ways you can cut costs, and we’re sure you can think of many more creative ones. We hope that this guide has helped you towards a more affordable meal plan.
