5 Incredible Tips For Eating Healthy On A Budget

Eating healthy on a budget doesn’t have to be impossible when you have the right tips in front of you.

Most people think it’s unrealistic to eat healthy when they are tight on money. Eating healthy is also known for being too expensive for most people.

But in most cases.. eating healthy is often the cheaper option. So stop buying into the myth that you can’t eat healthy when you don’t have the money to.

Here are some tips for eating healthy on a budget:

1. Cook At Home

Restaurants are expensive. They make their money by charging prices that are way more than the cost of the actual food itself. You can save dollars by cooking instead of eating out. Home cooking is usually healthier too.

Plan simple meals a week in advance. Ask your family to help. There will be less complaining if everyone takes part in developing menus.

2. Grow A Garden

Start a garden. Starting a garden is one of the ultimate ways to lower your food spending. This is a task your family can take part in. Don’t be afraid to let your kids get involved. They will learn about growing healthy foods at a young age. And they can have fun doing it!

Foods like lettuce, snap beans, and radishes are easy to grow. Growing a garden is the best way to get a regular supply of fresh and nutritious food.

3. Look For Foods In Season

The trick is to look for fresh and local fruits and vegetables that are in season. These are usually the cheapest options for you.  Take frequent shopping trips to several kinds of stores in your area. This includes supermarkets, farmers markets, and convenience stores. This will help you find good deals on healthy and fresh foods. 

Take advantage of seasonal foods like broccoli and oranges in the cold months. Sweet potatoes and squash are examples of vegetables peaking in the summer. Foods in season are much less costly than out of season foods. The summer and fall seasons have the healthiest and most available fruits and vegetables.

Pesticides

I am sure you have heard about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables every day. But there are some things you might not know about these food groups. Although some fruits and vegetables are safe to eat, others are full of pesticides. The pesticides are from the growing process. Farms spray pesticides on the food to keep bugs and fungus away during the growing process.

Foods like pineapples, cabbage and avocados are clean choices of fruits and vegetables. It is not necessary to look for organic options. 

But try to eat organic as much as possible when it comes to foods like broccoli, spinach and apples. These fruits and vegetables tend to have the highest amounts of pesticides used on them. Eat these foods organic when you can afford it.

4. Cut Down On Processed And Pre-Packaged Food

Don’t buy food that is pre-cooked or pre-packaged. We know they may be more convenient and easy to cook. But these foods are more expensive and often contain ingredients that are not healthy.

Look to add more whole foods to your diet. This includes more fruits and vegetables. If you are going to buy something processed, look for items that have a shorter ingredients list.

5. Look For Sales

Shop for store sales and specials. Use coupons whenever possible, but don’t buy a product just because you have a coupon for it.

Cut down on meat. Eat a variety of foods so you will get all the important nutrients your body needs. If you focus on plant-based food, you will save dollars while eating healthier. You do not have to stop eating meat completely. But cooking fewer meat-centered dishes helps your budget.

You can also buy less expensive cuts of meat and make them last longer. Using meat in stir-fries, stews, and casseroles stretches your money farther.

Pesticides

I am sure you have heard about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables every day. But there are some things you might not know about these food groups. Although some fruits and vegetables are safe to eat, others are full of pesticides. The pesticides are from the growing process. Farms spray pesticides on the food to keep bugs and fungus away during the growing process.

Pineapples, cabbage and avocados are clean choices of fruits and vegetables. It is not necessary to look for organic options. 

But try to eat organic as much as possible when it comes to foods like broccoli, spinach and apples. These fruits and vegetables tend to have the highest amounts of pesticides used on them. Eat these foods organic when you can afford it.

The Future Of Eating Healthy On A Budget:

Eating healthy on a budget is not a new idea. Consumers look for ways to stretch their money and eat healthy foods. Meat and dairy consumption continues to drop. People are looking for healthier options. They look for food labels that say: “organic”, “all natural”, and “gluten free”.

Grocery stores notice the trend. They are stocking their shelves with healthier choices. The Whole Foods Company will soon be opening a budget store that will cater to millennials.

Millennials are making a huge impact on the healthy eating trend. They are the most powerful group of consumers. They are conscious of what they eat and what companies they give their money to. As the trend continues, there will be more ways to save money and eat better at the same time.

It’s important to remember that it is not impossible to eat healthy on a budget. So don’t think that buying from the dollar menu or buying frozen meals are the cheapest ways for you to eat.

Eating healthy on a budget is realistic with the right guidance.

Do you already do the things listed above?

How do YOU eat on a budget?

Share some of your tips with us in the comment section!