by Martha Oschwald | November 29, 2020 6:27 pm
You might have heard that eating clean can add up quickly. Depending on what food choices you make, it’s definitely possible to eat healthy without blowing your budget. Let’s not forget that being savvy with your savings is especially important this year in the midst of the pandemic. Health is wealth so eating a balanced diet should still be at the top of your list. Here are some ways to eat healthfully without breaking the bank.
Buy dry
Choosing dry foods means getting much more bang for your buck. Not only will they last you a long time and take up limited space, cooking with foods like dry beans or legumes will cost you next to nothing. Reducing your spending on protein will free up more of your budget for an occasional splurge or meal out. You might also consider adding more grains to your diet. These dry goods are affordable, versatile and definitely healthy. Think of adding barley to soup, oat flour to bread or quinoa to a grain bowl. Beans and rice may be a classic combo but there are tons of new recipes you can try by adding new dry foods to your diet. Who knew pantry foods had so much to offer?
Buy frozen
Fresh foods have their place but don’t overlook the frozen section. Fish is often frozen and thawed before you buy it so there’s a good chance you’re eating frozen either way. As a rule of thumb, frozen fish is usually cheaper. Savings aside, planning ahead and buying frozen also allows for more flexible cooking options. The other thing to think about is the number of vegetables available in the frozen foods section. Foods like corn, sweet potatoes or spinach freeze well and are available at low prices. You can also take advantage of a sale price on fresh produce and freeze it for a longer shelf life.
Cook in bulk
If you live alone, chances are you’re used to cooking for one. The good news is cooking in bulk means less food waste and less money down the drain. The other advantage to cooking in bulk means meal planning ahead of time. How often do you spend more on food when you don’t have the time to cook? How often do you make healthy food choices when you eat out? On average, cooking larger quantities can save time, money and be healthier overall.
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