
Eating healthily doesn’t need to be expensive; by planning ahead and buying whole foods instead of processed food products, nutritious meals can be produced at less expense.
No matter whether you are at school, working alone or raising a family, eating healthfully shouldn’t break the bank. Indeed, some of the least expensive yet most nutritious food items can actually help control costs when choosing low-saturated fat, added sugar and sodium options for meals.
Before shopping, create menus and grocery lists to avoid impulse buys. Dedicating 15-20 minutes each week to this can help ensure you remain on track with your meal plan. Check out websites or mobile apps offering healthy recipes, meal planning tools and grocery lists as a helpful way to stay organized with meal preparation and grocery list creation.
Before heading out to the store, be sure to eat a meal or snack to reduce overspending on unnecessary items. Being hungry can lead to impulse buying that leads to foods high in saturated fat, added sugar and sodium content. Try snacks like fruits, plain low-fat yogurt or unsalted nuts; cooked beans, frozen vegetables and canned tuna also offer affordable healthy snacking options that can later be used in soups or stews.
Avoid purchasing processed foods, which tend to be high in saturated fat and added sugar and can also be expensive when purchased in large quantities. Buy in season – fresh fruit and vegetables typically cost less when in their peak season – like strawberries in summer or asparagus in spring; frozen produce also offers convenient freshness that can be prepared similarly as fresh.
Switch from meat to plant proteins: Lean plant proteins such as lentils and beans are much more cost-effective than chicken or beef when measured against price per serving.
Maintain a well-stocked pantry and freezer with economical staples like beans, canned tuna, frozen vegetables and brown rice to provide filling and nutritious bases for meals of any kind – hard-boiled eggs with canned tuna can serve as breakfast or lunch filling for wraps, while beans can add crunch to salads or casseroles at dinner time.
Take advantage of sales and coupons on healthy foods. Many products, such as meats, dairy and produce are often discounted during specific times of the year – keep an eye out for any deals and coupons in flyers, websites or mobile apps to take advantage of the savings available on healthy products! When purchasing fresh food items make sure they expire before spoiling; alternatively consider purchasing imperfect produce like bruised or oddly-shaped veggies at lower prices that still taste just as great – doing this reduces food waste!