Most people know that they should eat healthier than they do. However many cite budgetary concerns as one of the primary reasons for not eating a healthier diet, according to Patch.com. Fortunately, by using these three strategies, savvy eaters can learn how to eat healthy on a budget, without sacrificing taste or food quality.
Meal Planning
A lack of planning will kill a food budget long before the shopper ever enters the grocery store. According to Healthline.com, a meal plan, made up ahead of the weekly shopping trip, counts as a key component of eating a healthy diet, while staying on a budget.
Before heading out the door, shoppers should take stock of what’s in the house. Once a person knows what’s in the cupboard and the fridge, it’s easier to make a shopping list. Taking an inventory means that all food in the house gets eaten up. This cuts down on food waste and allows the shopper to remain on budget in the process. Finally, the savvy shopper looks for sales in the local paper and online and plans his/ her meals around what can be bought on sale.
Shop the Store’s Perimeter
Not only are prepackaged foods bad for a person’s waistline, but they’re also bad for a budget, too. Money Crashers suggests that shoppers concentrate on buying foods located on the outer perimeter of the store. This is where shoppers will find fruits and veggies, plus healthy cuts of meats and quality dairy products.
Shoppers will save money because they are not spending their cash on prepackaged foods, which tends to cost more. The convenience-factor of these foods is what makes them more expensive. Instead, a good amount of whole foods that are prepared from scratch will be kinder to a person’s budget in the long run.
Eat a More Plant-Based Diet
A diet primarily based on eating beans, rice and other grains, will cost a person less in the long run. Meats and some cheeses can actually add a significant amount to a person’s grocery bill. An article on The Kitchn website suggests that savvy shoppers expand their horizons a bit and try cuisines such as Indian and Mexican. Both of these cuisines rely on beans and rice as staples of the diet. They also embrace plenty of spices, making them both tasty and cheap to boot.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to eat healthy on a budget doesn’t have to knock shoppers off their financial kilter. Following some simple strategies, like making a weekly grocery list, shopping the store’s perimeter, and changing cuisines can help. These strategies do require some forethought, but the amount of money a person saves by adopting them can put them on a path to a much healthier way of life.