A nutritious diet certainly can be expensive.
Do you find it difficult to eat healthy on a budget?
If you stick to the tips below, you can eat wholesome food and cut costs on your grocery bill.
Make a plan
Planning is essential. Plan your meals for the upcoming week, what you will cook, how much you need. Consider nights when you won’t be at home or you have alternative dinner plans. Otherwise, unused produce will end up spoiling and getting thrown out. It’s a waste of food and money!
Make a grocery list
The grocery stores are designed to tempt customers to purchase more than they need. Knowing what you will purchase before going there is a good strategy to save money. Stick to your grocery list!
Stick to the store’s perimeter
As a golden rule, stick to the perimeters, which typically include the produce area, the deli counter, and the dairy section. If you need something from the middle of the store, always look on top or bottom shelves rather than straight ahead. The most expensive products are placed on eye level.
Don’t shop on an empty stomach
Munch on a piece of fruit before entering the grocery store.
Buy whole foods
Prechopped fruits or veggies are convenient but overpriced. To cut costs opt for whole fruits and veggies and chop them at home.
Shop for local, seasonal products
Produce that is in season is cheaper and more nutritious. Typically, it travelled less distance to get to your store.
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can save you lots of money. Grains like rice, quinoa, oats and nuts are all available in bulk and have longer shelf lives.
Pick plant-based protein
An inexpensive replacement for meat is beans and legumes. Not only that, but they are great powerhouses, high in vitamins and minerals. Dried beans practically last forever
Buy frozen food and veggies
Fruits and vegetables are typically flash-frozen right after harvest, which means they still have their nutritional value. It’s a great solution when you make smoothies, or as toppings for oatmeal or yoghurt.
Bottom line
You don’t need to break the bank to eat healthy nutritious food even on a tight budget. All you need to consider is planning your meals, more cooking at home and mindfully making smart choices in the supermarket. Healthy food may seem as expensive but buying junk food will cost you twice in the long run.
