You want to eat a healthier diet, but you don’t have the money to spend on all organic, freshly grown, hard-to-pronounce food we’re all “supposed” to eat. Ironically, the cheap food that’s more processed and less nutritious simply fits better into the budget. So how can you improve your eating while not burning through cash to do it? Fear not — it’s easier than you think.
- Eat out less, cook at home more. Whenever possible, try to eat at home or at least prepare your own food. Eating out does end up costing more, either in the short run (spending more on meals) or the long run (medical problems that come with a prolonged unhealthy diet of fast food). And you don’t have to be the next Top Chef, using expensive, exotic ingredients: Brown rice and whole grain/whole wheat pasta don’t cost much ($1.75 for a 1-lb bag of rice, $1.69 for a 13- to 16-ounce box of dried pasta), and you can top these basics with frozen vegetables and pasta sauce for a quick and easy meal.
- Buy seasonally. If you want fresh produce, buy it when it’s at peak season. You can even freeze it to enjoy off-season. Many fruits and vegetables can be easily chopped and frozen for use later. Frozen produce has nearly the same nutritional value as fresh (as long as it’s not slathered in some kind of sauce or butter!)…and you can often find produce priced affordably, in bulk.
- Consider your proteins. If you enjoy eating meat, chicken and turkey tend to cost less per pound than beef, although you can find the latter on sale. Cheaper cuts don’t necessarily mean lesser quality — indeed, they tend to have more flavor and nutrition. Bone-in chicken (especially thighs) costs less than boneless. If you have a crock pot, tougher cuts of meat will come out tender and juicy after a few hours of simmering — and you’ll have a meal ready and waiting for you when you arrive home. You may also consider adding eggs and beans to your diet to stretch your dollar.
- Plan your meals. If you want to cut down on waste, plan your meals for the week. This way you’ll use what’s already in the fridge. Spending a little time prepping your food (say, an hour on a weekend to make for quick and easy weekday meals) will help you stay healthy because it’s there and ready to go. You may also want to do your shopping at stores with good coupons and deals, getting the most for your hard-earned money! It all goes hand-in-hand.
Consider even on a tight budget, a little planning and careful purchasing goes a long way toward stretching your food dollar and staying healthy! Read our related health and wellness blogs today.
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