Eating healthy on a budget can be difficult as food prices continue to rise. With food prices higher than ever, we understand that the size of your grocery bill may be more important than whether it's healthy. However, it is possible to care for both. In the world where we live today, people constantly preach about healthy diets, what you should eat, and what you should not. But one of the key aspects that is not talked about enough is how expensive those "healthy" items are once you reach the supermarket. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you follow these strategies and tips, you can save a lot of your hard-earned money, and eating healthy will suddenly become more affordable to you.
Plan Your Meals
Meal planning is an excellent way to save money at the grocery store. Each week, choose two to four meals with a variety of proteins, grains, and vegetables to prepare at home. Choose a more relaxed day to cook if you want to prepare multiple servings of a meal for leftovers. After a long, busy day, you are less likely to cook a meal on the spur of the moment. Meal planning not only reduces the likelihood of ordering expensive takeaways, but it may also help reduce food waste.
Don't Shop When Hungry
When you are starving, you are more prone to stray from your list and make impulsive purchases at the grocery store. When you're hungry, you may reach for processed foods, which contain fewer nutrients than whole foods. And because these aren't usually on your list, they're not good for your budget either. Eat a piece of fruit, some yoghurt, or another nutritious snack before you go to the store so you aren't hungry when you arrive.
Choose Healthy Carbs
Wholegrain bread, pasta, and rice are not necessarily more expensive than white versions. They'll keep your digestive system healthy and can also be more filling. Porridge oats are a healthy option that is also less expensive than many kinds of cereal. Try overnight oats instead of making porridge if you don't want to (just soak porridge oats overnight in water, low-fat milk, or plant milk, and mix in a pinch of cinnamon and some fruit).
Pick Healthy And Pocket-Friendly Snacks
If you eat three nutritious, balanced meals per day, you might not need to snack. If snacks are a part of your diet (or that of your family), choose fruit, plain low-fat yoghurt, and unsalted nuts for a more filling and nutritious option. Bananas and apples are inexpensive snacks that don't require any preparation. If you have a little more time, making your own carrot and celery sticks can be even less expensive per serving, and any leftovers can be used in soups and stews.
Making your own popcorn instead of buying it pre-made, or as an alternative to crisps, can save money and be healthier if it is plain or flavoured with herbs and spices rather than salt, sugar, or butter. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are typically the least expensive nuts and seeds, but they provide similar health benefits to more expensive nuts and seeds.
Stay Clear Of Packaged Convenience Items
Avoid pre-packaged convenience foods, which are typically more expensive and contain fewer nutrients than home-prepared foods. Limit sodas, chips, sugary cereals, crackers, and convenience meals to maintain your healthy eating and money-saving goals.