Learn how to eat healthy on a budget. 5 tips for meal planning while eating healthy on a budget.
How to eat healthy on a budget
It is officially New Year’s resolution time, and for a lot of people, that means setting a goal to shed some pounds. Most commonly, many resolutions are related to weight.
Considering only a handful of people achieve their resolutions, that means there are an awful lot who give up. With weight-related resolutions, I think a big reason for that is due to cost.
I hear all the time that eating healthy is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! It’s possible to change your eating habits for the better without breaking the bank.
You just have to know how to go about it. We’re here to help!
We have tips to help you learn how to utilize store brands, purchase fresh produce and much more. These tips will help you to stay on track with your shopping list.
5 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget
1.Know where and when to shop.
Take the time to go through grocery store circulars and plan your recipes for the week around what is on sale. If you find a really good sale on chicken breasts or a roast, buy an extra package or two and put them in the freezer.
It’s also important to plan ahead on produce purchases, because while produce can be a huge drain on your grocery budget, it is a key component of healthy eating.
Buying produce in season will save you money and will also help you find ingredients that will be delicious! If it is not in season, consider purchasing Frozen fruits and vegetables instead of fresh fruit. Frozen produce is a great option during off season.
2. Use grocery-saving apps.
If you’re not yet using money saving apps, you’re missing out on cash back! With many of these apps, you can get money back on produce, meats, and other healthy foods.
Take a look before you shop and add to your list those items that are healthy and will give you a good return.
3. Find solid recipe staples.
Depriving yourself is never fun. Make sure you have several recipes in your arsenal that will give you all the flavor without the fat and calories than the original.
Some of our favorite recipes include:
Your taste buds (and family) will thank you!
4. Meal prep on the weekend and freeze.
Lack of preparation is the biggest challenge toward eating well. If you make the effort to meal prep on the weekends, you’ll have lunches and dinners ready to go for the week.
With your healthy meals already made, you will be able to fight the temptation to splurge on quick fixes that are not good for you. You will also save money in the process.
Try these meal prep ideas:
5. Set aside money for eating out and stick to your budget.
Eating out has become common place, and can be bad for both your budget and your waistline. Set aside money in your budget for one meal out a week.
Force yourself to stick to that budgeted amount. You will find that your one meal out a week will not be stopping at an unhealthy drive-through on the way home from work.
You will save your budget for a meal out with your family where you’ll find food is of higher quality and nutritional value. This might include a nice breakfast on the weekend or a lunch with your family.
Eating Healthy on a budget is easier than you think.
With just a little bit of work, you can easily eat healthy on a budget. Small decisions make a big difference.
Sources of protein such as dried beans or making a stir fry with brown rice will make the most of your grocery bill. Your family can easily enjoy delicious meals while avoiding processed foods.
Give these tips a try and see how easy it can be. Everyone will actually enjoy these delicious ideas.
Get started today.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean your grocery budget doubles. If you know how and when to shop and prepare your meals, you and your family will be on the right track toward healthier eating in no time!