Fruits and vegetables in season are often more affordable.
Photo: Anna Tarazevich / Pexels
Eating healthy and saving money is possible. It can even be less expensive than eating fast food, prepared foods, and junk food. We share some recommendations to buy your healthy food when you have a tight budget or want to save.
1. Plan your meals
Planning your meals for the week and making a list of products to buy saves you time and money when shopping. Help you take home only what you will consume and to avoid wasting perishable food.
2. Look for cheap recipes
Plan tasty and cheap recipes. There are many foods that can be very nutritious and healthy that are often affordable. Beans and other legumes; the eggs; whole grains like oats; as well as sardines are some cheap and nutritious foods to stock your pantry and with which you can prepare a variety of recipes.
3. Buy products generic
You can save money by buying cheaper brands or the store brand. Some generic products may have a quality and nutritional value comparable to brand-name products that have higher prices.
4. Buy inexpensive fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet. Opt for products that are seasonal, In addition to having the best flavor and freshness, they are also often more affordable.
Frozen fruits and vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and healthy as fresh ones; they are often cheaper than fresh varieties. Avoid those with added salt, sugar, or fat.
5. Don’t buy when you’re hungry
People who shop when hungry are more likely to spend more, especially on less healthy foods such as high-fat and sugary snacks
6. Cooking at home
Eating in restaurants or buying packaged meals too often is not good for your weight, health, or your pocketbook. Consider the tips, delivery fees and that by doing the math, you can save more by buying the ingredients for your meals for the week than by buying the different meals of the day away from home.
By preparing your food at home you can control the ingredients. Prepare simple, quick to prepare meals that are easy to carry. To save time and energy in the kitchen, you can cook twice a week and refrigerate or freeze your meals.
7. Avoid food waste
Food waste affects the environment and also makes you lose money. Use all foods. Prevents food from spoiling. If you have foods that you know you will not consume in a short period of time, freeze them and then make sure you eat them.
8. Buy bulk foods with long shelf life
Legumes, such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas, are some of the healthy and inexpensive foods with long lives that you can buy in bulk and save.
9. Buy whole chicken
Buying the whole chicken is cheaper than buying it in piecess. You will get 2 breasts, 2 thighs, thighs and wings. Rotisserie chicken is an inexpensive and convenient alternative for those who do not have the time or skills to cook.
10. Compare prices online
Check the prices of the products of different brands and supermarkets online. Filling your cart online helps you know how much you spend before you check out. In addition, by making your purchases on this platform you can save time and avoid greater temptations such as those you usually have in the physical store and it may be easier for you to maintain your budget.
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