[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s no secret that food can be expensive. No matter where you live in America, you have likely noticed first-hand the rising food prices across the board. With inflation still being a major concern for affordability, you may be amongst the many people trying to do whatever you can to cut costs.
Unfortunately, highly processed, less healthy foods are notorious for being cheaper than their healthier alternatives. This leads many Americans to stocking up on inexpensive yet nutritionally-poor foods in an effort to save money.
Yet eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat well on a budget, you’re in the right place.
How to Eat Well on a Budget
Whether you’re at home or at the grocery store, there are many ways to save money while still eating nutritious meals. Here are 10 tips for eating well on a budget:
1. Plan your meals.
Planning your food ahead of time is essential for saving money. That way, you can buy only the ingredients you will actually need, thereby cutting down on
food waste. You definitely don’t have to plan every single meal for the week. But it’s a good idea to check your schedule and plan for at least a few dinners and to buy ingredients you know you’ll need for breakfast and lunch. Having a “meal routine” – like pasta Fridays or taco Tuesdays – can also help make meal planning easy (and reduce decision fatigue!).
2. Stick to your grocery list.
If you’re like many people, you may go into a store with the intention of buying certain things yet come out having bought much more than that. This practice can not only contribute to waste but also costs extra money that adds up fast. When you shop, try to have a list of exactly what you need and stick to it. Do your best to avoid impulse buys or excess snacks that you don’t really need.
3. Make recipes that use similar ingredients.
When
meal planning, try to avoid recipes that require ingredients you don’t normally use and would go to waste if you don’t use it all. Aim to stick to recipes that use common ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. If you do make a meal that calls for a unique ingredient, try to find another recipe that also uses that ingredient so that it can all get used up.
4. Minimize food waste.
This has already been touched on in previous tips, but it’s worth noting again. Food waste is not only bad for the environment, but it also wastes your money. A few simple tips for minimizing food waste include:
- Utilizing leftovers for future meals or snacks rather than throwing them away
- Serve kids small portions at a time, adding more once they’ve finished what they have
- Freeze extra foods like meats and bread products before they go bad. Then pull out exactly how much you need when it’s time to use them.
5. Change where you shop (if needed).
Food prices can vary significantly depending on where you shop. Even major chain grocery stores can be pricier than other, perhaps smaller chain stores. Do your research by shopping at different places and finding the most affordable places near you. You may find it saves the most money to buy certain foods at one store and others at a different store.
6. Buy generic brands.
Generic brands often use nearly the same ingredients and taste very similar (if not the same), yet they are sold at a cheaper price. Choosing them over name brands can save you hundreds of dollars each year.
7. Choose affordable produce.
Produce also varies significantly in price depending on what you buy and where you buy it. Fruits like berries and grapes tend to be much more expensive than fruit like bananas. Shop around and try to buy produce that gives you more “bang for your buck.” Buying frozen fruits and vegetables is another excellent way to save money. They have a nutritional value that's very similar to the fresh versions, too, so you don’t have to sacrifice health for the lower cost.
8. Stock up on low-cost nutritious staples.
There are so many super nutritious foods that are not only inexpensive but also have a longer shelf life. This makes them convenient to keep on hand to be able to create a wide variety of meals from. Examples of these foods include:
9. Eat less meat.
Meat can be expensive. If you’re including it with most of your meals, it can really add up. Not only is
plant-based eating better for your health (and
better for the environment), but it can also be cheaper. Plant-based proteins like beans,
lentils and
nuts are all significantly less expensive yet nutrient-rich food choices.
10. Eat out less often.
It can be easy to try to justify eating out. Yet it is a known fact that eating at home is significantly cheaper than eating from a restaurant. The cost of a meal from a restaurant can easily be four times more expensive than the average cost of a meal from home. So even if you’re used to buying your lunch or going out for dinner multiple times a week, try swapping out a home-prepared meal little by little until it becomes your new normal.
In Summary
Eating well doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Even if you have a very limited budget, you can select from a variety of different foods and habits to stretch your dollar while also nourishing your body. Plus, eating well can save you loads of money in the long run by minimizing your need for medication, doctors’ appointments and medical procedures that are often a consequence of not taking proper care of yourself. The effort is worth it, and both your body and wallet will thank you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="178114" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1726849361004{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/somos-mexican-black-beans-with-sea-salt-onion-garlic"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="178113" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1726849374239{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/lotus-foods-organic-tricolor-blend-rice"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="178111" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1726849387199{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/delallo-organic-whole-wheat-elbows-no-52-pasta"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
