If you’re struggling to keep your pantry full due to rising food costs, you’re not alone. Many people are having a tough time eating healthily due to inflation. Prioritizing your nutrition can be hard in times of financial strain, but it’s doable. Here, we’ll share some top tips for getting the healthy foods your body craves while sticking to a budget.
Embrace the Freeze
Don’t turn your nose up at frozen produce. Fruits and vegetables in the freezer aisle contain most of the same nutrients as they do in the fresh produce section. According to registered dietitian Madalyn Vasquez, “There is a misconception that everything needs to be fresh to be healthy. Many canned or frozen products have the same amount of nutrients as fresh foods.”
While you may choose fresh fruits and veggies when you’re looking for a snack, frozen fruits and veggies are the perfect way to save money when they’re part of a larger recipe. A bag of frozen vegetables can be a perfect addition to a stir fry, and frozen berries are a great way to boost the nutritional value of your morning smoothie.
Make a List–And Check It Twice
When you go into the grocery store armed with a list based on your research, you’re more likely to stick to exactly what you need–without stocking up on random impulse purchases. Make good use of your grocery store’s weekly circular. If your local market has an app, be sure to download it so that you can be alerted of changing sales.
Meal Plan Each Week
Choose a few budget-friendly proteins, add them to your list, and build the rest of your weekly menu to support your base choices. When you meal plan, you can make sure nothing goes to waste. Utilize your dinner leftovers by turning them into lunch each day, and make sure you’re buying exactly what you need–not food that will eventually just hit the trash can. Don’t forget to include snacks when planning. If you usually have a treat meal at some point during the week, don’t forget to add it to your meal plan. Doing so can stop you from wasting valuable cash ordering delivery or takeout.
Do It Yourself
Convenience foods are just that–convenient. When you’re working to eat healthily, it can be tempting to purchase pre-chopped fruit, pre-soaked beans, and more. Instead of choosing a version of a food that saves you a few minutes in the kitchen, go the extra mile and do the work yourself. In addition to improving your relationship with food by helping you connect with what you’re putting in your body, spending time doing prep work also gives you more control over creating the perfect meal for your tastes.
Buy In Bulk (When It Makes Sense)
We know, we know–it can be tough to fathom the idea of shopping at a big-box warehouse-style store when you’re working to stay on a budget. Doing so, however, can save you big bucks in the long run–if you know what you’re doing. When you’re in a warehouse store, look for bulk foods that have a lengthy shelf life, such as dried beans, brown rice, lentils, honey, oats, no-sugar-added dried fruits, nuts, quinoa, chia seeds, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and peanut or almond butter. If bulk foods are still tough on your budget, talk to a health-minded friend about going in together on some bulk healthy foods.
Go Generic
In many cases, getting away from buying brand-name groceries can save you serious bucks. There’s no need to go all generic in one go–trying the generic brand for a few foods each time you grocery shop can help you get a feel for where it makes sense to save money and where it makes sense to splurge on the brand name version. Shopping at grocery stores known for their lower prices (like Aldi) can help you slash your grocery budget while still enjoying many of the same tastes you get at your usual market.
