One of the first excuses when it comes to us trying to eat healthily is that it is too expensive. Yes, healthy foods can be expensive but unfortunately cheap low-quality foods can also be very problematic to our health. The good news is, that there are many ways you can save money and still eat healthy and nutritious food. Below we will discuss some ways in which you can eat healthier but on a budget.
Plan ahead
One of the biggest advantages of planning your meals is that you will be able to see exactly what you eat and how much you eat. Planning your meals will allow you to eat healthier and achieve your weight loss goals. When we are in a rush or we are extremely hungry we usually fall into bad habits like ordering fast food.
If you already prepared some food, you will be healthier and save your money as fast food is most of the time quite expensive. Another benefit is not wasting your food. We have all been there- we buy too much and by the end of the week we have rotten fruits and veggies we need to throw out. With planning, this will not happen as you will see exactly when you are going to eat what and for how many people you need to prepare. If you know that you are only serving 2 people it will be easy to plan a healthy and cheap meal for two.
Buy frozen fruits and veggies
Unfortunately, some fruits and veggies are only available at certain times of the year and can be quite expensive. Frozen veggies and fruits are a much cheaper and easier option. If you are on a budget or a college student you can buy big bags and store them in your freezer whenever you need them. It makes healthy and cheap meals for students as you can use it for different types of meals like toppings, breakfast, and healthy snacks. Plus, you gain the advantage of being able to take out only what you’re about to use. The rest will be kept safe from spoiling in the freezer.
Replace meat with other proteins
You do not have to go full-on vegetarian but there are definitely some benefits of going meatless once or twice a week. Plant-based foods are full of fiber, which will help to fill you up and give you sustained energy. There are numerous studies that show that a plant-based diet is associated with reduced obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. This way of living can also help you to live longer!
A diet that focuses on vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, tofu, nuts, and seeds is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants and will decrease inflammation and help you lose weight. Your wallet will also definitely thank you as meat can definitely be one of the most expensive foods on your grocery list. Beans, vegetables, and grains are much cheaper than meat.
