9 Easy Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget

With inflation on the rise and the, seemingly, always rising cost of healthy produce, eating healthy may seem impossible. 

But there is hope.  There are steps you can take to eat healthy and not break the bank.  Trust me.  I live in one of the most expensive places in the world with a salary that would be considered almost poverty level anywhere else and I still manage to buy mostly organic. 

We often tell ourselves, one day, I will eat healthy.  One day - when I get that raise.  One day - when the economy gets better.  But one day turns in to the next and before you know it years have passed and you haven't stepped one inch closer to eating healthier.

Well, today is the day that you'll take that first step towards eating healthier.  Keep reading below and I'll show you 9 easy ways you can eat healthy on a budget.  After all, is there anything better than being healthy and rich?

9 Easy Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget

Reduce Your Meat and Dairy Consumption

Meat and dairy products tend to be some of the most expensive products on the market.  And that is even before we get into the gourmet world of "organic", "free-range", and grass-fed meat.

Instead of eating meat and dairy products, try implementing Meatless Mondays or changing them out for other nutritious substitutes such as lentils, beans, or tofu.  You'll save money and have healthier options!

So if you want to maintain your budget and still eat healthy food, reduce your meat and dairy consumption, and, while you're at it, you might as well add eggs to that list too.

Shop Locally and in Season

To eat healthy on a budget you should only buy food that is local and in season.  Buying locally grown produce is not only good for the environment but it is also cheaper and fresher than those that are not.

Additionally, when you buy fruits and veggies in season, you can save a lot of money on your groceries.  Food that is in season tend to be much cheaper than those that are not because that food must be packaged, flown or otherwise shipped, typically, thousands of miles before it gets to your supermarket.

All of that shipping costs money, and you, as the consumer, end up paying for it.  Health-wise, you'd also benefit more by buying local and in season as food shipped great distances are probably coated with extra chemicals and additives to keep them 'fresh' enough to consume.

Plus, in buying local you can support your local farmers and get a good discount on your groceries.  That's why, every time the farmer's market rolls around I'm always there, bright and early, with my reusable bags.

Seasonal Produce Guide

Skip the Pre-Made Sauces, Make Your Own

Not only do pre-made sauces come loaded with preservatives and other ingredients that are questionable for you health, but they also tend to be more expensive than making the sauces yourself.  

Besides, have you ever tried homemade sauces? They are divine!  

I tell you once I started making my own sauces, I have not gone back.  They taste wayyyy better (and fresher!) than any of the store bought ones and they cost much less.

This goes not only from pre-made sauces but processed food in general.  If you don't know by now, processed food is expensive.  Even more expensive than simply buying whole foods.  

So when you head to the market to pick up groceries, make sure you stick to  whole foods where possible.  Not only will doing this help you save more of your money, but it will also ensure that you are eating food that is good for your health.

Buy Frozen Fruit or Vegetables

While buying your veggies and fruits in season will help you save a little dough.  What happens when you want to eat berries in the winter?  This is were buying frozen fruits and veggies can help.  

I used to think that somehow frozen fruits and veggies weren't as healthy as the fresh ones but it turns out, I was wrong.  Not only do frozen fruits and veggies maintain their nutritional value but in some cases they are even better than the fresh ones, as they are frozen at the best point in their development.

In addition, when you buy frozen, they tend to come in larger quantities.  That means, you get way more bang for your buck!

Plan Your Meals... Or Not

Now, here is where I disagree with the common 'words of wisdom'.  

Most articles on budgeting and healthy eating will say to plan your meals, make your shopping list and stick to it!  They believe that this is how you can save money, because, at least, you won't be picking up unnecessary things.

But I disagree.  If you want to eat healthy on a budget, the key words here being on a budget, so you should never plan your meals without knowing first what food is on sale.  So pick your best budget grocers find out what produce is on sale, buy it, and only then figure out what you will make for the week.  Even better if you can view sales online or get coupons before going to the store.

Planning your meals based on what's on sale will ensure that you are making the best use of your money.  Not to mention that sticking to recipes and lists limits your creativity!  Use this as a chance to create something new and amazing and quite possibly, delicious! 

Buy in Bulk

To eat healthy on a budget, it is mandatory that you buy what you can in bulk.  Nothing can beat the price per serving of giant bags of rice from Costco, huge bags of frozen fruit from Sam's Club, or large cases of canned goods from BJs.

Stock up on the essentials at these wholesale places, as they will give you the biggest bang for your buck and greatly reduce the cost of your homemade meals.  And although they have membership fees, I've found that they are absolutely worth it.  So check out the one nearest you!

Cook at Home and in Batches

When you are living on a budget, nothing can help more than staying home and cooking, instead of going out to eat.  It's pretty common knowledge that eating out can cost a pretty penny.  One meal alone could be the equivalent of a week of meals made at home no matter if you're single or a family of four.

What's more, eating at home is healthier for you.  When you eat out, you will no doubt be eating food loaded with salt, sugar, and chemical additives.  But eating at home helps you skip all that!  

That's why, if you are trying to eat healthy on a budget, you need to be cooking at home and cooking in batches.  One of the main reasons many people do not cook is that it takes time.  So, meal prep over the weekends and cook a huge batch so that you can have leftovers for the week (or at least a  few days).  This week give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Freeze Your Meals

Remember those batches of food you will be making this weekend?  Well, now, what you could do to help them last longer is freeze them.  Grab your freezer ready Tupperware, throw your prepared meals inside, and put them in the freezer.

This not only works for those batches of cooked food but also for any fruit or vegetables you don't think you will be able to finish before they go bad.  I do it all the time with the bananas and berries I buy.  

And after they are frozen you can still defrost them and eat them later or make smoothies or ice cream from them!  A delicious treat, for all of the money you'll be saving!

Use Your Store Bought Veggies and Grow More

Of course, it is great to start your own garden from scratch by buying seeds from your local nursery, but did you know you could just grow your own veggies from the produce you buy from the market?

It's true.  Take one of your garlics bulbs and pop it in some water and see what happens!  Some of the easiest veggies that you can regrow are potatoes, ginger, garlic, green onion, celery, lettuce, onions, and sweet potatoes. You can even regrow herbs such as cilantro, rosemary, basil and more.

I especially enjoy this hack as it really and truly becomes the gift that keeps on giving.  But some things to consider before you embark on this journey:

1. Make sure you buy organic.
2. Ensure the produce hasn't been sprayed with chemical inhibitors to prevent growth. (Buying organic should help with this but also you may just want to buy them from the farmer's market.) 
3. Some hybrid veggies may not grow the same as the one you bought. So don't be surprised.

All in All

Eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank.  Though I have only included just a few examples, there are many things you can do to eat healthy on a budget. 

Maybe for many, eating healthy has always seemed to be a far off dream sometime in the future.  But we all deserve to live a life full of happiness, health, and wealth.  And that starts with eating a well balanced, healthy meal each and every day.  Good luck and let me know if you have any more tips and tricks to add to this list!