Tips for Healthy Eating on a Tight Budget

By John Breaux | February 4, 2019

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to spend insane amounts of money on your groceries. When it comes to eating healthy while on a tight budget, here are some tips to help keep you on track with your diet without breaking the bank.

Plan Your meals

Pick a day to plan out your meals for the week. One of the best ways to shop smart is to properly plan out your meals, then make a grocery list with the items needed. Be sure to plan to purchase only what you need so none of it goes to waste.

Look For Sales

If you really want to stretch your dollar, try planning your meals around the sales that are taking place at your local grocery store. If you see deals on frozen vegetables, take advantage of it, as it gives you the chance to stock up on easy to make healthy meals.

Buy Whole Grains

Whole grains are proven to lower your risk of heart disease, as it packs a full punch of fiber, and can be great for a healthy digestive system. Not only are they healthy, they’re relatively cheap, and can be bought in bulk to save money.

Utilize Alternative Forms of Protein

Expensive cuts of meat can quickly put a dent in your grocery budget, but protein is still an essential part of our everyday diets. To ensure you’re getting your recommended serving of protein, try buying alternative forms of protein like eggs, nuts, yogurt, milk, and beans. As for meat, try out the cheaper cuts of protein, like chicken thighs and lamb neck fillets.

Cook at Home

Making your meals at home is definitely the route to go if you want to make money. Not only are you saving money, you know exactly what kind of food your eating, allowing you to make healthier choices.

Be Smart With Leftovers

About 40% of food produced in the US is never eaten. Food waste is a serious problem when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, so be sure to keep leftovers and eat them in a timely fashion so they don’t go bad.

Buy Generic Brands

Often times generic brands are essentially the same as name branded foods. Try buying generic brands when you can to save some money.

Cut Out Processed Foods

Processed foods are usually more expensive than buying healthier whole foods. Try and focus on buying foods that have minimal preservatives.

Bring Your Lunch

Eating out for lunch can quickly become a massive weekly expense, and often results in making unhealthy dietary choices. Be sure to pack a lunch every day with food that is of a healthy, balanced diet.