How to eat healthy while on a strict budget

October 12, 2017

1. Plan your meals

When it comes to saving money at the grocery store, planning is essential.
Use one day each week to plan your meals for the upcoming week. Then, make a grocery list of what you need.
Also, make sure to scan your fridge and cabinets to see what you already have. There are usually a lot of foods hidden in the back that can be used.
Only plan to purchase what you know you’re going to use, so that you don’t end up throwing away a lot of what you buy.

2. Cook at home

Cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out.
Make it a habit to cook at home, rather than eating out at the last minute.
Generally, you can feed an entire family of 4 for the same price as buying food for one or two people at a restaurant.
Some people find it best to cook for the entire week on the weekends, while others cook one meal at a time.
By cooking yourself, you also gain the benefit of knowing exactly what is in your food.

3. Cook large portions and use your leftovers

Cooking large meals can save you both time and money.
Leftovers can be used for lunches, in other recipes or frozen in single-portion sizes to be enjoyed later on.
Leftovers usually make very good stews, stir-fries, salads and burritos. These types of food are especially great for people on a budget.

4. Don’t shop when you’re hungry

If you go to the grocery store hungry, you are more likely to stray from your grocery list and buy something on impulse.
When you’re hungry, you often crave foods that aren’t good for you or your budget.
Try to grab a piece of fruit, yogurt or other healthy snack before you go to the store.

5. Stick to your grocery list

Once you’ve planned your meals and made your grocery list, stick to it.
It’s very easy to get side-tracked at the grocery store, which can lead to unintended, expensive purchases.
As a general rule, try to shop the perimeter of the store first. This will make you more likely to fill your cart with whole foods.
The middle of the store often contains the most processed and unhealthy foods. If you find yourself in these aisles, look to the top or bottom of the shelves rather than straight ahead. The most expensive items are usually placed at eye level.
Additionally, there are now many great grocery list apps to help you shop. Some of them can even save favourite items or share lists between multiple shoppers.

Using an app is also a great way to make sure you don’t forget your list at home

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