How to Eat Healthy and Save Money

It’s no secret that it can be expensive to eat healthy. Today, I am sharing my favorite money saving secrets for eating healthy on a budget.

I came across this audio on Instagram, and it really sparked a passion in me to help people learn how eat REAL food. To know where the food they’re eating is coming from. How it’s handled. How it’s prepared. Maybe one of these days soon we’ll do a deep dive into processed foods, but for right now, we’re going to focus on eating real food fresh from the ground. That is the basis of healthy eating, after all. I know it isn’t always possible to grow your own, but it is possible to eat as healthy as possible on a budget. I’ve jotted down a few of my best tips on how to eat healthy and save money, and I want to share them with you today.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwYlh0wJiAE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

My top tips for how to save money while trying to eat healthy.

  • Menu plan. I know I’ll likely sound like a broken record, but failing to plan is planning to fail. It doesn’t have to be a long, elaborate process. Simply sit down with a notebook, a pen and make a plan. I really like to utilize a meal rotation list. Essentially, we eat the same things over and over, but spaced out enough that none of us tire of them quickly. Occasionally I’ll throw a surprise meal in there, but for the most part, we stick to this simple meal rotation. You may also enjoy what I like to call reverse meal planning. You can check that out here: Reverse Menu Planning – What it is + How to Get Started
  • Stick to your list! You’ve made your meal plan, you’ve created your store list, and you’re ready for your shopping trip. Don’t get distracted by the shiny packaging in the stores. Stick to the things you’ve written on your list. Little things really add up at the checkout line. Grocery pickup or delivery is really helpful to ensure you’re not buying things you don’t need.
  • Cook from scratch. It’s no secret that I don’t enjoy cooking. I do, however, love fueling my family with nutritious from scratch meals three times a day. Not only can you completely control the ingredients you put into your food, but it can save so much money. A pot of spaghetti can feed a family, plus supply leftovers for lunches. Going out to an Italian restaurant can wrack up a bill of next to $100 and feed you once. Again, it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Create simple meals for your first meal plan. A whole chicken in the instant pot, or crock pot is a great place to start.

You can’t control everything in life, but you can control what you put into your body.

  • Stop buying snacks. I know I’m going to get some kick back on this one, but snack food isn’t necessary. It takes very little effort to whip up a batch of our favorite granola. Crackers are another convenience food that can easily (and quickly) be made at home. Learn to make your own yogurt, and you’ll save so much. (There are tons of online tutorials that give such great step by step illustrations.)
  • Utilize leftovers. Buying lunch can add up quickly. A salad can cost up to $10 in certain places these days. Cooking a little more at dinner time can add up to a massive savings at the end of the month.
  • Don’t shop when you’re hungry. This is a whole lot like sticking to your list, but going to a store when you’re hungry is a bad idea. You’ll impulse buy, end up with more than you need, and spend way more than you should.

The greatest wealth is health.

  • Buy whole foods. You will save money by buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself than buying that bag of shredded cheese that contains additives such as wood pulp. Yes, it’s real, and they’re totally allowed to do it. Stop buying packets of premixed oatmeal and buy whole oats. They cook quickly, and you can control the amount of sugar in them. Typically, less processed foods are also sold in larger quantities and yield more servings per package. That will save you money overall, too.
  • Take advantage of farmers markets. If baking sourdough bread is out of your comfort zone right now, try checking out a local farmers market. Many artisan bakers sell beautiful loaves of sourdough, and you can load up on in season vegetables, too. Many times, at a price that’s much less than a grocery store. It’s a win-win.
  • Grow what you can. I am always amazed at what can be grown in pots or containers, on patios or balconies. Herbs, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and some varieties of cucumbers are just the beginning of things you can grow easily. If you’ve got a little more space, and you’re ready to tackle a garden next spring now check this post out: FREE Printable Vintage Victory Garden Guide for Gardening Success

The bottom line is this, you don’t have to go broke to be healthy. There are so many ways to eat nutrient dense food on a very tight budget. A little planning and organizing goes a long way when it comes to our meal planning, and our budget every month.

Keep in mind that highly processed foods may be less expensive to purchase but will cost you more in the long run with your health. Really, even if healthy eating seems out of reach, remember that you can not put a price on your health.

As always, thank you for spending just a tiny bit of your day with me.

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Here’s an image to pin for later…

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