Eating healthy can be difficult for many people because of the perceived extra cost. However, there are ways to eat healthy without breaking the bank. If you think being on a budget means sacrificing your healthy food options, then you should check out these five easy ways you can choose healthy, nutritious foods without ever having to overspend.
Why it’s important to consider your budget when buying groceries
Your food is one of the most essential things you’ll spend money on every month, so planning how to pay for your groceries affects every other bill you pay. The more budget-conscious you are about your food choices, the more money you’ll have to pay for other basics like utilities, rent, or getting rid of debt.
If you’re in debt, sticking to a budget is even more critical since the interest you accrue only increases the cost of your purchases. Using tools like this payoff calculator can show you exactly how much you’re spending every month on interest and help you consider where that money could go instead.
Five ways to eat healthier without overspending
Plan out your meals
Impulse buying things you won’t eat can end up costing you hundreds or thousands every year if you’re not careful, so plan your weekly meals ahead of time and buy only the ingredients you need. Sticking to a list of items instead of wandering through the aisles will drastically reduce your total cost in the checkout line and ensure no food goes to waste.
Cook at home instead of ordering takeout
Cooking your meals at home instead of going out or ordering in is one of the staples for any budget-conscious family, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a world-class chef to make it work. Sites like Pinterest have millions of recipes available that cater to every level of cook and budget. Try committing to one month of home-cooked meals and see if you notice any difference in how much money is left over at the end of the month and how much you enjoyed stretching those chef skills. If it’s urgent and you leave in Picton, New Zealand you can try ordering Picton takeaway food that ensures you get quality food at affordable rates.
Go grocery shopping a few times a week
One of the biggest budget-killers for groceries is food waste since any food that gets thrown out means money spent for nothing, so consider breaking up your weekly grocery run into smaller runs throughout the week buying food for the next few days. Not only will you ensure food gets eaten while fresh, but you might find better deals throughout the week, too.
Compare grocery stores in your area
If you have more than one grocery store chain in your area, don’t let your loyalty cost you much-needed money in your food budget. Many smaller or specialty grocery stores will offer incredible deals on staples like milk or bread while ethnic grocery stores will typically have things like rice, soups, and spices for pennies on the dollar for what’d you pay at a bigger chain.
Buy non-perishables in bulk
Ingredients like rice, beans, and coffee can keep for much longer than fresh foods, so it makes sense to buy them in bulk when you can. Bulk pricing is typically cheaper than retail, too, so you’ll be able to load up on the things you need for much less than you’d pay for smaller packaging.
The bottom line
For many people, eating healthy can be difficult because of the cost. However, there are ways to eat healthy without breaking the bank. Use any of these five tips, and you’ll notice a reduction in your grocery bills while also noticing an increase in your health.
