12 Easy Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Want to eat healthier without blowing your budget? It’s easier than you may think!

With just a little planning, you can nourish your body with wholesome goodness without breaking the bank.

Before diving into the tips, let's start where healthy eating begins: your pantry! Before heading out to the grocery store, take a close look at what’s in your pantry.

Peruse Your Pantry

Check to see if there’s anything you can cut back on, like sugary snacks or soft drinks. You can save money just by crossing some of those nutritional offenders off your regular shopping list.

Try swapping them out for healthier home-made treats and DIY infused water.

Now that you've reviewed your pantry, let's get to those tips!

1. Plan Your Meals for the Week

One of the best ways to eat healthy on a budget is by planning your meals. It might take a little more time each week, but it’ll be worth it because you’ll waste less food.

Take into consideration what you’ll be making for each meal of the week, including how to best use leftovers. Pro tip: leftovers make a great lunch for the next day!

To help you plan, you can make a grocery list the old-fashioned way with a pen and paper, or use a smartphone app instead. Some grocery list apps save your favorite items or let you share between multiple shoppers.

Plus, with an app, there’s less of a chance you’ll accidentally leave your list at home!

2. Keep an Eye Out for Sales & Promotions

Do you use coupons and promotions? If not, you’re probably missing out on an opportunity to save a lot of money.

Although many coupons are for unhealthy foods, opportunities to save on healthier items are out there if you know where to look. 

Sign up online with your preferred health food store or grocer so you’ll know about their specials and weekly deals. Look for coupons for quality, healthy foods and cut them out or download and print them.

You’ll spend less money that way, and if you take a look at what’s on sale before planning your weekly menu, you can save even more.

3. Head to the Farmer’s Market Near the End of the Day

Depending on your location, a farmer’s market may save you money while also providing the freshest, locally-sourced fruits and veggies available.

If you visit near the end of the day, you may find better deals because some vendors mark down prices to sell more before closing up for the day, especially on items that are ripe and may only last another day or two.

If you live in an area with specialized Asian or Mediterranean markets, you may also find great deals on diverse and flavorful items there too.

For instance, you can find less common noodles at an Asian market along with fresh fish, meats and unique condiments and sauces to switch up your menu!

4. Know How to Read Price Labels

Reading a price label seems straightforward, right? However, it's not always as simple as it seems!

The larger price on the label doesn’t always tell the full story because packaging sizes differ. Even if two similar products look the same size on the outside, there may be greater or lesser product volume on the inside.

To ensure you’re getting the most for your money, search the label for “price per ounce” info, which is usually written in small print on the price tag.

If the price per ounce isn’t available on the label, use a calculator and do the math yourself or ask a store employee to help out.

5. Fill Your Cart with Whole Foods

You can often save money by buying whole foods instead of their processed counterparts. For instance, a block of cheese is usually cheaper than shredded cheese, and dried beans are typically a better value than canned or frozen beans.

Also, you can find whole grains like brown rice at a better price per serving than most boxed or processed grains.

6. Try Store Brands

Your grocer may sell foods under their own name or a generic name, and these foods are typically just as nutritious as more expensive brands.

Some of them may even be organic! When you grocery shop, look over the shelves carefully as these foods may have their own section and will likely be out of your direct line of sight, as more expensive brands often pay for prime shelf placement.

7. Buy Certain Foods in Bulk