Eating healthy on a budget does not have to be hard! In fact, there are so many creative ways to eat nutritious and delicious meals without breaking the bank! Failing to eat the right foods can increase food cravings and make you hungrier than what you already were. Here are five simple tips to help you plan out your next healthy meals on a budget!
Meal Plan!
When it comes to grocery shopping, planning ahead can save you so much time and money. It’s also really fun to do! Just pick out one day each week to plan out your meals for the upcoming week. Then, go ahead and make a grocery list of everything you will need to prepare those meals.
Before you head out to the store, be sure to look through your fridge and cabinets to see what you already have. You may want to use items you already have before they expire. Only plan to purchase items you know for sure you’ll be using.
It helps to choose a certain protein to be the theme of several different meals throughout the week so you can save up on grocery items. For example, if you chose chicken as your lunch protein for the week, you could make a chicken sandwich for one day, chicken soup for another day, chicken salad for another day, and so forth.
Cook Large Portions!
Save both time and money by cooking large meals and save the rest as leftovers for lunches or use them in other recipes like stews, salads, tacos, or burritos. Try freezing your leftovers in single portion sizes so that you can enjoy them at a later time. Leftovers are the true MVPs when you don’t have time to cook, money to eat out, or are trying to stay on budget.
Shop For Canned Or Frozen Produce!
Did you know that it is a misconception that everything has to be fresh to be healthy? You heard right! According to a registered Dietitian, many of the canned or frozen products that we eat have the same amount of nutrients as fresh foods. Frozen vegetables are very good at preserving their nutrition because after being harvested, they are frozen right away.
The most important key to choosing the healthiest canned or frozen produce is to read the label carefully for low sodium options or canned fruits that have 100 percent fruit juice.
Stop Purchasing Highly Processed Foods!
You may be surprised by how much money you spend on highly processed foods like soda, crackers, cookies, chips, etc. In addition to being very expensive, these foods often lack beneficial nutrients and may be high in sodium and added sugars. Next time, instead of going for highly processed foods, make room on your budget for higher quality nutrient rich whole foods.
Stick To The List!
Since it’s very easy to get sidetracked at the store, make sure to stick to your grocery list. Nowadays, you can even download a grocery list app to help you shop. The app is also a great way to make sure your list is always at hand and some of the grocery apps even save your favorited items or purchases for the next time you shop.
A helpful tip while in the store is to shop around the perimeter (outer edges) of the store first. This is where the whole (healthier) foods are generally placed. Make sure to fill up your cart with what you need here first.
The middle of the store is usually where the most processed foods are. Fun tip–if you ever find yourself in any of these aisles, be sure to look at the top or bottom shelves first, as most expensive items are usually placed at eye level.
Never Shop While You’re Hungry!
Mixing hunger pains and shopping is a very dangerous game. When you’re hungry in a store, it’s very likely to stray away from the mission at hand and buy unhealthy, processed foods on impulse. Next time, eat a piece of fruit, yogurt, or a nutritious bar to fill yourself up before heading out.
Josie D
Have YOU ever shopped while hungry? What did you end up getting?
Follow Josie on Instagram @sincerely_josied and @susquehannastyle, and hashtag #Susquehannastyle to let us know. For all things self-care, personal growth, fashion, and travel, check out thecheetahbuzz.com.
