How To Eat Healthier On A Budget
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How To Eat Healthier On A Budget
Worried that eating more nutritiously means spending more money? While it’s true that healthy eating can add up quickly if you’re not careful, it’s possible to follow a nutrient-dense meal plan that is also budget-friendly.
Increasing food prices have many people worried about whether they can afford to eat well. So if you’re looking to keep costs down when it comes to eating healthy, start with these simple tips.
Plan your recipes and meals
If you wander into a grocery store with no idea what you’re going to eat, there’s a good chance you’ll walk out with a lot more than you anticipated! Planning is your best friend, as it ensures you get exactly what you need. Make sure you always start with a list of what you’re going to purchase, and stick to it as closely as possible.
One old trend that is coming back in with rising prices is planning your meals based off the weekly specials. If you know that a particular protein is $5/kg cheaper than your go-to this week, you can plan a meal or two using that protein. This can also help you to decide when to stock up on essentials.
Grow your own
Another popular option is to start growing your own produce. If you’re not much of a green thumb, start simple – grow your favourite 3-5 herbs. Whenever you need some, snip it off and add to your meal. This is a great way to prevent waste as well, as most people won’t use the full amount of fresh herbs you buy at the supermarket.
Mastered growing herbs? Give some low-maintenance veggies a go. Lettuce varieties are a great option, as they grow quickly and are either expensive or unavailable in many shops right now!
Shop in-season
Ever noticed that produce prices fluctuate throughout the year? A big factor is what is available seasonally in the local area. When fruit and veg are in-season, they are more plentiful and therefore cheaper to purchase. Take a look at what is in-season for your local area, then choose more of those ingredients for your meals.
This is also a good time to consider purchasing more from your local farmers’ markets. They will always have in-seasonal produce available, and often cheaper than supermarkets and greengrocers. Buying straight from the farmer also means it’s fresher and more nutritious!
Bulk-buy your long-life ingredients
The one group of ingredients you do want to stock up on is your staple long-life ingredients. This depends on your preferences and meal plan, but it could include:
· Oats
· Rice
· Quinoa
· Tinned beans and chickpeas
· Tinned proteins such as tuna
· Nuts & seeds
When you purchase in bulk, the price is lower overall. Just make sure you have room in the pantry to store it all!
Try more affordable alternatives
It’s easy to get caught in the habit of using the same ingredients over and over. But you could be missing out on alternatives that are just as tasty and nutritious but more affordable!
Always using beef mince in recipes? Give kangaroo mince a try.
Chicken breast your go-to protein? Turkey breast is a great alternative.
Big fan of salmon? Barramundi can be a more budget-friendly seafood option.
The same goes for fruit, vegetables, grains, even nuts and seeds! If your go-to ingredients are suddenly unaffordable, there’s likely an option that you haven’t tried yet that is reasonably priced.
Embrace frozen fruit and veg
There’s a myth going around that frozen options are less nutritious. But frozen fruit and veg is just as good and sometimes is even more nutritious! This is because they are frozen right after being picked when they have the maximum nutrition.
Try using frozen fruit and vegetables, particularly your favourites that are out of season. This helps to keep prices down, and also reduces potential waste as they keep for longer.
Want to learn more about eating healthy on a budget?
Hey there, I’m Rachel!
NUTRITIONIST, PERSONAL TRAINER, WELLNESS COACH
Here I share healthy recipe ideas, training plans, and nutrition & wellness advice you need to know.
Check out my free guide to healthy eating to design your own version of a healthy lifestyle so that you can feel energised and vibrant, or hire me to work my magic on your health through mindset, nutrition, and movement.
While we make every effort to make sure the information in this website is accurate and informative, the information does not take the place of medical advice.