The cost of everything seems to be going up, and food is no exception. However, it is still possible to eat healthy on a budget. You just have to have to use a few techniques, and over time you will notice a difference in your bank account.
Yes, food is a large expense. It is the one expense that you can’t get rid of, but you get to make sure you are getting the best food for the money.
Did you know that if you spend just $100 a month on food, in fifty years, you will have spent $260,000?
So being able to save a little money each week is going to add up over those fifty years.
It is important that the food we buy and eat is healthy so that we don’t end up spending money on medications to keep us healthy.
Or having to pay for surgery and doctor’s appointments.
Every cell in our bodies is the result of the food we eat. Healthy food equals healthy cells. Unhealthy foods, unhealthy cells.
Yes, it is just not food that keeps us in good shape health-wise. We need to drink clean water and breathe clean air.
Here are a Few Techniques to Eat Healthy on a Budget:
#1 – Eat at Home: It is always going to be less expensive if you prepare your meals at home rather than eating at restaurants.
After all, restaurants have huge overheads such as having to pay staff, rent, or mortgage on the space along with utilities and maintenance.
As well, they have huge grocery bills.
It may be true that restaurant food can taste better. However, if you don’t see yourself as a good cook, find a few recipes that you can perfect.
When you prepare your meals at home, you can choose healthy ingredients.
Buy from farmer’s markets and grocery stores where food is brought in fresh daily or weekly.
#2 – Buy Food in Bulk: When you buy a large bag of rice or carrots, for instance, you pay less per pound.
Another good idea is to have a large pantry and freezer so you can take advantage of food when you buy in bulk.
There are a number of food items you can buy from a bulk store, such as flour, sugar, herbs, and spices.
If you are single, this is a great idea as you can buy smaller amounts.
It also means that these items won’t go stale as they would if you were buying larger quantities.
#3 – Grown Your Own Food: A garden is a fantastic idea for keeping costs lower for fruits and vegetables.
For a vegetable garden, all that is required is preparing the soil, planting some seeds or seedlings, and then watering, weeding, and harvesting!
Not only do you get good quality food, but you also get to be out in the sunshine and get a little exercise.
Gardening can be fun and your children will love to help out.
If you have room, you can plant a variety of fruit trees.
#4 – Substitutes for Meat: Meat is really expensive and seems to be getting more and more expensive.
There are lots of ways to get your protein. Food such as lentils, beans, and eggs are way less expensive than a lot of cuts of meat.
Fish is also a lot less expensive. If you live near the ocean, you can probably buy the fish right at the dock. How fresh is that?
#5 – Buy Whole Foods: It costs a lot less to buy a whole chicken than to buy the parts separately.
You just have to cut them up at home or cook the whole chicken. Serve the chicken for one meal and use the leftovers in other recipes.
If you like using shredded cheese, consider buying a block and then shredding it at home. Less expensive and probably fresher.
What To Do with A Whole Chicken Video:
Sites like Walmart even have a section for flyers. One place to pay attention to is the meat section.
Very often they will have stickers on meat that needs to be sold by the next day.
Check out the end of rows as often they have store specials.
#7 – Reduce or Avoid any Highly Processed Foods: You will find that processed foods can be expensive.
For instance, a tin of soup might be more expensive due to being already cooked. These items are often not healthy as they contain a lot of additives and salt.
However, you can often make similar soups at home and you will know that the ingredients make it healthier.
Your waistline and bank account will thank you.
5 Simple Soups To Warm Your Soul Video:
The foods we eat can have a huge impact on not only our health but our bank account as well.
You don’t have to compromise the quality of the food you eat. You just have to find ways to still eat healthy on a budget.
Inexpensive food, made at home, with love, is going to be healthier in the long run.
More Tips on How to Eat Healthy on a Budget:
Healthy food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Make your budget, plan your meals for the week and then go shopping!
Here are some more tips on how to watch your money and eat well:
- Being frugal is not a bad thing. Believing that this is a good thing will make it easier to stick to a budget in the long run.
- Remember it is just food and not something you are going to have around for years. Food lasts a short period of time and then you need to replenish it.
- Take care of your health. When you make it a priority, you will find great recipes that support your health and budget.
- Make up a food list of all the healthy food you like. Find the brands that are healthy and inexpensive.
- Purchase generic foods. A lot of generic food is actually made by name brands. The store brands are less expensive as well.
- Use coupons. If you haven’t used coupons before, now is the time to start using them. They will save you a lot of money over time.
- As said before, buy on sale. Check the store’s website, walk around the store and look for items on sale.
- When it comes to fruits and vegetables, buy fresh in season.
- Don’t be wasteful. Apparently, people throw out around one pound of food per day or around a hundred pounds per year. You are just throwing away your hard-earned money!
- Nutrition is important. Having pizza, make a salad to go with it. Use brown rice instead of white rice. Make a baked potato inside of fries.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water. This is the least expensive beverage because it comes out of your kitchen tapes. It is also good for your body.
One thing you can do to help your budget and eat healthily is to do meal prep once a week or so.
Not only does it mean that you have meals available and therefore don’t have to start from scratch, but you will also shop smarter.
15 Mistakes Beginners Make Cooking Food For the Week Video:
Final Thoughts:
You can definitely eat healthily and still stay on a budget. Find ways to curb your costs by buying smart and going to the store with a list.
Make a game out of it such as you get a little reward (chocolate bar) if you only buy what is on your list.
You can eat healthy on a budget with a little bit of planning.
Remember to make up a meal plan for the week, make a grocery list, and then shop for only what’s on the list!
