How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

By Steve Nitz
Let’s say you have two issues you’re looking to take care of: issue No. 1 being that you want to start getting on that diet you’ve talked about for years, and No. 2 being that you’re also in a crunch to start saving money. When it comes to shopping at the grocery store, eating healthy can get expensive.
Here are five ways you can eat healthy and save money at the same time:
l) Buy in-season produce (and freeze it)
Fruits and vegetables – healthy foods that are a great source of fiber are cheaper when they’re in season. Therefore, it’s more efficient to buy in-season produce and freeze it quickly for later consumption, rather than spending extra cash and buying produce out of season. Fruits and vegetables will stay freshest the earlier they’re frozen.
2) Limit your dining out
Sure, there are plenty of healthy choices at restaurants. And there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself here and there. However, overdoing outside dining can put a drain into your budget. Set a limit on how many times you will eat out each week based on your budget.
3) Grow your own produce
Vegetables such as tomatoes and onions are easy to grow in your own garden, and seeds tend to be inexpensive. Fruits such as raspberries and blackberries are also viable for backyard growing. Growing your own produce can be a rewarding process while saving you money at the same time.
4) Look for local deals
Shop around town to different grocery stores and compare their prices for produce and other healthy items, and check out the local farmer’s market as well. In addition, grocery stores usually offer a savings card that can decrease your expenses.
5) Buy chicken and other meats in bulk
Chicken, and other meats such as turkey and pork, will come cheaper when bought in bulk. For example, chicken is a tasty low fat meal that is high in protein and can be key to a healthy diet.
Freezing the chicken so it doesn’t go bad will help preserve the chicken and make sure you don’t spend any unnecessary cash.