More and more people are are trying to eat healthy on a budget. In order to make your dollars stretch further when it comes to the grocery store, it is important to keep some basics tips in mind. Remember to make smart protein choices, choose frozen fruits and vegetables, add whole grains to your meal dishes and buy in bulk when you can.
1. Make Smart Protein Choices
One of the most important tips you can keep in mind when trying to eat healthy on a budget is to make smart protein choices. While many people may think that beef, chicken and fish are the only types of protein that you can include in your diet, this is actually not so. Beans, peas and other legumes are great examples of foods that are both rich in protein and low in cost. Experiment with a variety of recipes that include these protein sources in order to find meals that are delicious, nutritious and low in cost.
2. Choose Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Choose frozen fruits and vegetables if you are trying to eat healthy on a budget. While most people understand that fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet, not everyone can afford these high-cost foods. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a millionaire in order to eat high amounts of the fruits and vegetables that you crave. Studies have shown that frozen fruits and vegetables are just as healthy as their fresh counterparts. For best results when cooking with frozen fruits and vegetables, thaw and strain them completely before cooking. The frozen fruits and vegetables will typically contain high amounts of ice, which can affect the cooking process.
3. Add Whole Grains to Your Meat Dishes
As discussed above, beans, peas, and other legumes are great examples of non-meat protein sources that are inexpensive and can be easily added to your meals. However, sometimes you are craving real meat. If this sounds like you, consider adding whole grains to your ground beef or chicken dishes. Bulking up your meat dishes with whole grains such as barley, brown rice or other similar products means that you can purchase smaller amounts of meat—and spend less money— to make the dish.
4. Buy in Bulk
One of the best tips that you can follow if you are interested in eating healthy while on a budget is to buy foods in bulk as often as you can. For best results, look for healthy foods that you can store for a long time without fear of spoilage. For example, healthy foods that you should buy in bulk include beans, whole wheat pasta, rice, flour, frozen fruits and vegetables, and even some canned products. Avoid purchasing bulk foods that are high in calories or will easily spoil.
