How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
By Sara Butler
Eating healthy is something that many people want to do but may never jump into fully because they're under the impression that it's too expensive. Ready-made foods are convenient, but they often are more expensive than employing a few simple tricks to eat healthy on a budget. If you're interested in eating better but don't want to break the bank, then here are a few tips you can use to help you reach that goal.
Your Freezer is Your Friend
When you think of freezer food you may think of unhealthy options, but the truth is that there are plenty of healthy foods in the freezer section to choose from that will keep for months in your home freezer.
Frozen vegetables and fruits are great additions to any kitchen. These frozen foods are flash frozen at the peak of their ripeness and that helps to retain flavor as well as vitamins and minerals. But don't forget that you can freeze items on your own too, such as buying meat in bulk and portioning it out in freezer-safe bags for later use. Freezer strategies will help you to save on food costs overall.
Do It Yourself
Have you found yourself lately spending a lot of money to support your kombucha habit? If there's something expensive you like to have all the time, then think about trying to make it at home yourself -- you can save some serious cash that way.
Simply think about things you like to have on hand, from granola to nut butter to fermented tea drinks, and think about how you can make it at home. You may be surprised by how much money you can save each month by making little tweaks like this to your food habits.
Eat More Plants
Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, but it's not something that has to come from animal products. Meat is expensive, so it's a good idea to try to trade in some plant-based protein for your meals several times per week to help you save some money.
Great sources of plant-based protein include:
- Beans
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
Don't be afraid to go for canned beans, either. Simply rinse them before use to help cut the sodium that is often present in canned foods.
Eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank. Focus on these tips to help you get started as you eat healthier on a budget.
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