How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

Sometimes, eating healthy on a budget is easier said than done. A tight budget can get in the way of a person’s health, but the good news is that there are affordable ways to be healthy. Consider these eight tips for staying healthy on a budget.

Try Couponing to Stretch Your Wallet

Extreme couponing turned into a reality television show for a reason. You can save a lot by clipping grocery coupons, and it’s also challenging and fun. Keep in mind though that in order to save with coupons, it’s important to only use them to purchase things that you were planning to buy anyway. Also, don’t forget to check brand prices. Often, a generic brand is less than what you’ll end up paying for a name brand even with a coupon.

Work on a Meal Plan Ahead of Time

It’s more doable to eat healthy on a budget when you plan your meals in advance. Take some time to decide what you’re going to eat each day of the week. Once you’ve decided, create a grocery list that includes the things that you’ll need to make your meals.

Be sure to check your refrigerator and pantry to see what ingredients or food products you already have. Save money by using what you have on hand first and only purchase the food items that you know you’ll use. This will help you avoid tossing away items.

Stick to Your Grocery List

Once you’ve created a shopping list, don’t stray from it. At the store, it’s easy to be tempted by sales or other food items that look tasty, but not only will this tank your budget, it could also make it harder for you to stay healthy.

The experts recommend starting a grocery trip at the store’s perimeter. That way, you’ll be more likely to come home with food products that are healthy. The middle section of most grocery stores typically features processed food items that aren’t as healthy for you to eat. Along with this, stores usually stock the most expensive items at eye level. To save money, look toward the top and bottom of the store shelves.

These days, there are grocery list apps. Download a few to help you save money at the store. Some will even save your favorite items. You can also share lists with several shoppers, which makes it easier to stick to a food budget. When you use an app, you won’t have to worry about leaving your grocery list at home.

Buy Affordable Food That’s Healthy for You

Purchase reasonably priced fruits and vegetables like spinach, bananas, cabbage, oranges, and apples. Other economical food items include carrots, green peppers, and sweet potatoes. Check the grocery store for deals on imperfect food.

You might want to consider joining a veggie co-op. These kinds of groups often put in a large order with a produce company for a variety of healthy foods. The bulk order decreases the food cost, making it easier for you to stay healthy on a tight budget.

Purchase Whole Foods

Many food items are more affordable when you buy them in their whole form instead of in the processed form. For instance, you’ll spend less to buy a block of cheese than you will cheese that’s shredded. Also, whole grains, such as oats and brown rice, are cheaper than most boxed cereals.

Keep in mind that grocery stores sell processed foods in smaller quantities than whole foods. You’ll also receive more servings in each package of whole food items.

Don’t Buy Junk Food

Not only will it make your finances a little more comfortable, but purchasing less unhealthy food will also help you create a positive well-being. Soda, cookies, and chips are expensive. They also provide little nutritional value and are full of unhealthy ingredients. Try not to fill up on empty calories.

If you love sugar and eat a lot of food products that contain it, then you might suffer from some withdrawal symptoms by leaving it out of your diet. Those symptoms will pass after a few weeks, so stick with it. Once you’ve bypassed your sugar addiction, you will likely feel more energetic. You might even sleep better.

Stock Up When There's a Sale

If you have a food item that you generally keep on hand, stock up on it when it goes on sale. For instance, Worcestershire sauce is a great addition to many dishes. It's also something that will keep in your cupboard for a time as long as you don’t open the container.

Stock up on groceries that you know you’ll use. This will save you money over time. Make sure that what you’re buying more of won’t expire before you use it, or freeze it before it goes bad. If you have to toss it, then this will hurt your budget instead of helping it.

Try an Outdoor Workout

Staying healthy on a budget means exercising outside when possible. Getting outside is good for your mental state, and you'll save on pricey gym memberships. When you exercise outside, you might be more challenged since terrain diversity is tougher to manage. If you’re walking or running, be sure to change your path from time to time to take full advantage of that.

If you live somewhere with cold winters, search for a recreation center nearby that offers exercise equipment or workout space. Many of them have walking tracks as well as treadmills and exercise bikes. The fees for using these facilities are usually less expensive than a gym membership. You can also complete your workouts at home to save even more.

To stay healthy on a budget, consider using coupons, working out at home or outside, and purchasing economical food that’s good for you. With creativity, a little planning, and consistency, you’ll find it possible to improve or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Eating Healthy on a Budget FAQs:

What is the cheapest way to eat healthy?

The best way to eat healthy is to prioritize whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, which are often more affordable than processed and packaged foods. Often times people tend to break away from eating healthy due to poor planning so plan your meals in advance, buy ingredients in bulk, and eat leftovers to stretch your budget further. Consider, joining community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and taking advantage of discounts and coupons to save money on nutritious food options.

Is it better to exercise outside?

Exercising outside can be beneficial for both physical and mental health. Outdoor workouts provide you with fresh air and natural sunlight. You can also find various terrain outdoors from flat land to hills, and even mountains depending on where you live. Being outdoors and enjoying nature has been known to boost mood, and naturally enhance vitamin D levels. Plus, your workout opportunities increase outdoors with running, swimming, hiking, cycling, and more.

How do I get coupons for groceries?

Coupons for groceries can be found in various ways. Check your local newspaper, search on retailer websites and coupon websites, use grocery store apps, join loyalty programs, and install coupon browser extensions like Capital One Shopping. You may have coupons delivered right into your mailbox through local direct mail publications like Pennysaver.