Healthy Eating On A Budget

When it comes to grocery shopping, eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank.

When you’re on a tight budget, the thought of preparing tasty, healthy meals on a regular basis can seem daunting (even sometimes downright impossible). Not only is it easy to get sucked in by grocery merchandising tricks, but it’s also normal for most of us to fall into a mealtime rut, eating the same foods over and over. 

I know it happens to me!

Although I devote a large portion of my budget to groceries (I think of it as investing in my health), sometimes I need to cut back on spending after a big purchase or unexpected expenses.

A few days ago, I bought a brand new computer, so I’m going to be watching my budget very closely for the next few months. Here a few things that help me stay on track:

Buy in bulk: If something is sold in bulk, it’s likely that I’m buying it that way.

• Bags of organic fruit (mainly apples).
• Bags of organic potatoes.
• Cereal, oatmeal, dried fruit, grains, and nuts.
• Frozen vegetables.

Prep your own food: You’ll save money buying items like bulk bags of carrots that you do have to cut the green tops off and peel. These are considerably less expensive than the already cut and peeled ones you buy in the bag. I don’t do this often (simply because I’m lazy), but it really does help cut costs.

If you’re buying chicken, buy a whole one. Cut it up yourself, or have the butcher at the store’s meat counter do it for you. Better yet, roast a whole chicken! It’s a little bit more of a hassle, but you get more bang for your buck.

Buy frozen vegetables: Buying frozen vegetables is often better in a few ways:

• They are frozen in their peak state.
• They are more nutritious.
• They last longer.

Save and use leftovers: There’s nothing like a comforting bowl of leftover soup or chili in the winter right?

Go vegetarian at least one night a week. Whether it’s beans, tofu, or eggs it’s easy and healthy to incorporate these foods into your meal planning. Eggs are a high-quality protein and relatively inexpensive. However, people tend to be afraid of them because of the cholesterol. Fear not, eggs are your friend!

Buy cans of tuna and salmon. These are great for getting your Omega-3′s and they make for great burgers at dinner or a refreshing salad topper at lunch. This is a healthy option that is fairly inexpensive.

Pack snacks: Nuts, raisins, chopped veggies, and fruit are great to take along when going to sports and other events. This will help you save money by nixing those expensive snacks.

Prep on the weekends: Allocate some time on Sunday night to pack prepare and pack meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This will help prevent you from siwinging through the drive through at lunch or on the way home from work.

Eat with your eyes: No matter how healthy the food is, if it doesn’t look good, it’s likely you won’t eat it. Bright colored fruits, vegetables, and salads are not only good for you, but they look appetizing!

How do you eat healthy on a budget?

Tagged as: Budget, Grocery Shopping, Healthy Eating