How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
Like most mums, each week or so, I go off to the market to shop for groceries. I’ll go in—list and coupons in hand– determined to buy healthy yet budget-friendly foods to prepare for my family. I’ll come out with the same old foods as always, as well as snack foods and junk we don’t need. I might even grab some fast food for dinner on the way home.
I believe most of us would like to eat healthily and provide healthy foods for our families, and I believe most of us want or need to stay on a budget while doing so. Sometimes eating healthily without spending a fortune seems almost impossible. Isn’t it cheaper and easier to just grab fast food and cook a few basic meals?
Not really. Taking a little extra time to prepare healthy meals for your family pays off in everyone feeling better when they are eating right and staying healthier, which means lower medical bills and less money spent on private health insurance excesses. And honestly, eating healthy doesn’t have to cost more. Here are some tips for staying healthy on a budget.
Drink Water
This may sound pretty basic, but it’s a great place to start when it comes to saving money and eating right. Sodas and fruit juices may contain sugar and additives that your body just doesn’t need. They’re also often high in calories, so cut back or eliminate these drinks from your diet and stick to water. Drinking water helps our bodies in numerous ways, and it’s great for your budget!
Image by Otto Phokus
Veggies for Less
If you go to the produce department of a large supermarket, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the variety and price of the vegetables. You may feel like you simply can’t afford fresh vegetables, but don’t give up. There are many ways to have vegetables in your diet without blowing the budget…
Start by buying frozen vegetables. Frozen veggies may be fresher and cheaper than those found in the produce and canned sections of the store. You can find almost anything you want frozen and it is inexpensive and easy to use.
Also, be sure to buy locally. Check out your local farmers’ markets. You’ll get some of the freshest produce around at great prices. Go late in the day to look for deals. These locally grown vegetables are cheaper because they don’t have to be processed, packaged and shipped, and you’ll feel good knowing you are supporting a local family.
When buying vegetables and such, buy things that are in season. Some vegetable, such as asparagus, may cost far more out of season as they do in season.
Finally, one way to have veggies for less is to grow your own. If you have the space, try growing your own vegetables. Start small if you aren’t sure about it. Grow a couple of tomato and pepper plants. If you’re more daring, dig up a small area and try things like squash, beans, lettuce and carrots. If you’re lucky and take care of your garden, you’ll have an abundance of veggies at a fraction of the cost of buying them.
Plan and Save
Sometimes when I go to the market, I’m ready and organized. But often when I shop for groceries, I’m in a hurry and I just rush into the store, grab what I think we need and get out. Planning your shopping and meals saves money and means you’ll likely end up with more healthy foods.
Begin with a list and a plan of the meals you’ll prepare that week. Then clip coupons and save even more. If you have a plan, you’re much less likely to buy junk foods and foods you don’t need on impulse. You’ll save money and come home with foods you need to make healthy meals for your family.
Eating right is an important part of staying healthy and it can be done frugally. Just take your time, plan your shopping and stay focused on eating well. You’ll feel better and so will your budget.
Related posts:
- How to Cut Your Food Budget
- Getting Healthy on the Cheap: The Best Investment You Can Make
- 10 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle on a Budget
- 4 Ways for Uni Students to Save on Food
- Painless Budget Cuts: 4 Simple Ways to Save
Category: Health
