Eating Healthy On A Budget
Most people think eating healthy is expensive. Well it can be, if you allow it. I know personally I get picky on stuff I buy making my bill a bit more than it could be. I am looking for suggestion on what I can get that doesn’t cost a fortune. Here are some that I have come up with. I know this is one area that I need to improve on and I know there are people out there that have it down to a science.
Eliminate junk food
I understand that you can’t totally eliminate the junk food if you have kids BUT you can buy healthier options like the 100 calorie packs. That way if you crave one you can’t go overboard. You should limit the quanity you buy.
Water or milk instead of soft drinks
You can still enjoy your favorite drinks at a sporting event or night out, although you should stick with the smallest size when shopping to save money and calories. Children and even adults need milk or milk products on a daily basis. Milk will
also help you get strong and provides calcium for healthy bones and healthy teeth. We don’t buy much milk, Cooper is the only one that drinks it so we can go 2 weeks on 1 gallon. Cutting down on soda is an area of improvement.
Buy fruits in quantity
When they are in season, buy fruits in quantity and freeze any extras. You can buy several pounds this way, and freeze extras to have them when the fruit goes out of season. Wash the fruit well, remove any spoiled pieces, dry thoroughly, then
freeze in plastic zipper bags. I have personally never done this but I might, especially when strawberries are in season.
Meats and beans
Meats and beans are the best sources for protein. Lean meat is more expensive than meats with a lot of fat. Canned beans are a great deal as well, as they give you protein at a great price. The USDA recommends eating beans at least 4 times
per week. If you experience gas after eating beans you should try washing them, covering them with water, bringing the water to a boil, then draining it off and refilling the pot.
Fish
If you live in a coastal area or an area where fish are around, make that an integral part of your diet. You can catch them from the lakes or rivers, saving money in the process. I wish I liked fish because this is great for healthy eating.
Peanut butter
Peanut Butter is great for those on a budget as it’s popular with almost everyone. You can use it for sandwiches instead of eating hot dogs. My only issue with peanut butter is that I like it a bit too much.
Buy in bulk
I tend to buy my meats in bulk. I stock up with pork, chicken and turkey at a place like Costco or Sam’s club and that stock can last me 2 months.
Leftovers
Keep your leftovers and make another dish with them. I am not a leftover person but I would like to be. I am just not creative enough on what to do with it.
One tool that had been a lifesaver is the Food Saver vacuum sealer.
We use this when we repackage our meats and it really does prevent frost bite. The freezer bags are good for short term items but if you want something to last a couple months, I suggest this awesome appliance.
I understand that you don’t need a lot of money to still live a healthy lifestyle. I would love to hear your tips on how you eat healthy on a budget and how you utilize your leftovers.
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