When you hear the word “budget,” it’s natural to think about cutting back on things that are expensive. But this doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy on a budget! Here we will discuss how to do just that, and give you some tips for eating healthier without breaking your budget.
Budget Tip #01:
Start shopping at farmers’ markets or discount grocers. Farmers’ market prices vary depending on what is in season (and where), but they offer organic produce at cheaper prices than grocery stores usually sell them–sometimes even half price! Discount grocers also tend not to mark up their products as high as other supermarkets do; if buying bulk, they can be a great option.
Budget Tip #02:
Buy frozen produce when it is in season, and freeze the rest of your fruits and vegetables for later use (this will also help you eat more local). You don’t need to pay full price when buying fruit or veggies; if their prices drop below what is recommended, most grocery stores sell them at a reduced rate. We also recommend trying bulk value packs from discount grocers. Even though we tend to think of fresh food as healthier than processed foods, there are benefits to eating off-season produce frozen, too. Frozen fruits and vegetables are usually flash-frozen at the peak of ripeness in order to lock in nutrients–as opposed to off-season foods that have been picked before they were ripe so they can survive being shipped for longer periods of time.
Budget Tip #03:
Try growing your own food! Even if you don’t have a yard, there are plenty of options out there for apartment dwellers or anyone who is just starting their first garden. You can grow veggies indoors on your windowsill or balcony with things like towers or vertical wall gardens, which maximize space while keeping plants close enough together to allow them access to one another’s root systems . And even when it comes to outdoor gardening, you don’t have to plant a whole yard’s worth of food. If your space is limited, consider planting perennial vegetables that can be harvested year-round or annuals that will only need one season of care before they’re ready for harvest!
Budget Tip #04:
Buy in bulk and split up the produce with friends/family members (this also helps extend the life of fresh fruits and veggies). When it comes to buying canned goods like beans, lentils, rice, pasta sauce, etc., most discount grocers sell them at lower prices than conventional grocery stores do–and sometimes even cheaper than big box retailers. And while it might not seem cost effective, if each member of your family eats two per week on average, it can really add up if you split your order with another person or family!
Budget Tip #05:
Make comfort food healthy. Sometimes, when we have to cut back on costs–especially after a rough day where money is the last thing on our minds–we just want something that makes us feel better. That’s totally okay! If cooking real meals feels like too much work for one night, maybe try some healthier options at fast-food restaurants instead of their regular fare.
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