Eating healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive. It is possible to purchase healthy and nutritious food on a budget. Eating healthy on a budget requires planning and knowing which foods are the best values for your money.
In-season produce is often the least expensive option for fruits and vegetables.
Eating in-season produce will save money while also providing the most nutritional benefit. Purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables can also be a cost-effective way of eating healthy on a budget, as they contain the same nutrients as their fresh counterparts, but are often cheaper. Canned fruits and vegetables can be another way to save money, however, many contain added sugar or salt, so it’s important to check the label before buying.
Grains, such as oats, rice, quinoa, or cornmeal are great sources of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Grains can be purchased in bulk at a lower cost than smaller packages, which will help stretch your grocery budget further. Whole wheat pasta is another inexpensive option that provides more nutrients than traditional pastas.
Legumes, such as beans, peas and lentils are inexpensive sources of protein that are also high in fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, dried beans are often much cheaper than canned varieties.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein that can be used in many different recipes. Eggs are relatively inexpensive when purchasing them from the store.
Nuts, seeds and nut butters are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats that don’t need to break the bank. Buying these items in bulk often leads to savings over pre-packaged varieties.
Lean proteins, such as chicken or turkey breast, fish or lean cuts of beef or pork can provide essential nutrients without breaking your budget if purchased in bulk or when they’re on sale.
Conclusion:
Eating healthy does not have to come with an expensive price tag! With some research into what foods provide the most nutrients for your dollar you can easily find what is the cheapest healthy food available.