Eating healthy can get expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways to enjoy nutritious foods, even if you’re on a tight budget. Eating a healthy diet can help to improve our mental and emotional health, as well as our physical health and energy levels. Some of the biggest challenges to eating well is having a limited budget and not enough time. When we’re really hungry and short on cash and time, it can be tempting to grab fast food or processed snacks. However, convenience often foods have a lot of calories, sugar, and preservatives, and very few important nutrients. Contrary to what we often think, eating fast food is often not cheaper than making healthy meals at home. Let’s talk about some money saving tips to keep your health and budget both on track.
Plan your meals
Planning your homemade meals ahead of time can save a lot of money each month. Especially if you plan your meals around sales and coupons. Planning your homemade meals reduces food waste and this further helps to reduce food costs. When planning and cooking you’re own meals at home, you also get more control over the ingredients, so it becomes much easier to stick to your health goals. To ensure the best savings possible, stick to your list when at the store to avoid overbuying and overpaying for unnecessary items.
Use frozen or canned fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruit and vegetables are only in season for a short time each year and can be rather expensive. Choosing frozen fruit or vegetables can be significantly cheaper, just as nutritious, and reduces food waste because they will not go bad as quickly as fresh fruits and vegetables. Canned fruits and vegetables can be another good option but try to choose low sodium or low sugar options whenever possible.
Use leftovers or freeze them for later
Using leftovers can be a great way to reduce food cost and food waste. Leftovers can be incorporated into other meals, so you don’t feel like you’re eating the same meal over and over. For example, use leftover chicken in soups or salads. Or leftover vegetables in a casserole or omelet. You can also freeze your leftovers, and this will provide you with a quick and healthy meal for a future day when money or time is tight.
Buy store/generic brands
Most stores offer generic brands for nearly every product, and this can be a great way to save on every item you buy. The generic brands are often the same quality as the name brands, but at a discounted price, so can make shopping a little more budget friendly.
Drink water
Water has zero calories and zero sugar, it is necessary to stay healthy, and best of all, it’s free! Drinking water instead of more expensive and less healthy alternatives like juice, soda, or flavored water can save a ton of money each week, while being better for our health at the same time.
Consider meat alternatives or cheaper cuts of meat
Adding beans is a very inexpensive way to increase the protein content of a meal without having to buy more meat. In addition, you can buy cheaper cuts of meat. For example, you can buy whole chickens or turkeys when they are on sale. This can provide a lot of meat for one meal and you can freeze leftovers for a later day or use the leftovers creatively throughout the week; meat for a sandwich, on a salad, or in a soup or stew.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to eat healthy. Remember that highly processed foods can end up costing you more in the long run because eating too many foods high in sodium or sugar can lead to health issues, which might require expensive medical care or medication. Plan ahead, shop smart, and you will not only save money, but improve your health as well. Even if healthy foods were pricier, which they don’t have to be, investing in your health is always a smart choice. You really can’t put a price on staying healthy.