15 Ways to Eat Healthier on a Budget
You don’t have to choose between healthy eating and your bank account. Follow these tips to make healthy food choices—your stomach and wallet will thank you!
Plan Ahead
- Create a meal plan. Look for healthy budget-friendly recipes with the same ingredients but different preparations.
- Plan meals around food you already have. Check your cupboards, freezer, and fridge; eat perishable food before it spoils.
- Make a grocery list. Write down the ingredients and quantities you need.
- Think leftovers. Plan to buy enough ingredients that’ll make the meal last several days.
- Don’t shop hungry. Eat before shopping to avoid making unhealthy impulse buys.
At the Store
- Buy whole fruits and vegetables. You pay extra for precut produce, so save money by cutting it yourself.
- Check unit prices. Compare unit prices (price per pound, ounce, quart, etc.) for the best deals.
- Buy frozen produce. If you can’t get fresh produce, consider buying it frozen.
- Find new protein sources. Try a whole chicken instead of individual cuts, canned seafood, or other affordable protein sources, such as beans, lentils, and eggs.
- Stick to your list. You spent time planning your grocery list, so don’t stray from it!
At Home
- Put your groceries away. Get perishable foods in the fridge or freezer right away.
- Prepare meals in advance. Choose the best day to prepare meals. Then make plenty of food so that you have healthy meals ready to go on your busiest days.
- Be creative with leftovers. Leftover meats, vegetables, and grains make great soups, for example.
- Eat fruit for dessert. Make healthy fruit-based desserts rather than buying unhealthy packaged desserts.
- Consider the long-term savings. Eating healthy is an investment in you that can minimize health care costs down the road.
Home Cooking Made Easy
Which cooking oils are the healthiest? What’s a good substitute for sour cream? Is there a way to cut back on salt without losing flavor? Click here to find the answers to these questions (and more)!