Are you familiar with this common dilemma? Sure, I’d like to eat healthier, but I really can’t afford to. Healthy food is just so much more expensive than unhealthy food! Yes, eating healthy is more difficult than eating cheap, less nutritious meals, but here are a few healthy foods to include in your diet that won’t break the bank.
Fishing for Frugality
While the importance of omega-3 fatty acids is well known, it can be hard to make sure they find their way into your diet, especially on a tight budget. Fresh fish can become very expensive. Consider canned fish, the most common being tuna. Tuna will give you the nutrition you want, it’s very cheap and it won’t go bad for a very long time! Not as commonly used, but still packed with omega-3s, is canned salmon. Canned salmon can be used in salads, pastas, salmon cakes and many more fun and delicious recipes.
Eggs often get a bad rap, usually due to the cholesterol scare. However, most nutritionists agree that eggs should be a standard in a healthy person’s diet. They are stuffed with protein and vitamins.
Mom was Right: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!
Before you buy so much as another carrot, think: What can I grow myself? Any produce you can grow on your own will definitely save you some money. We know that berries are full of all sorts of goodness, but they can be quite expensive, depending on where they come from. An alternative is purchasing bags of frozen berries. Ideally, frozen berries are always in season, and just as nutritious as fresh ones.
Canned tomatoes are great to have in the cupboard as well. While cheap (canned is always a thrifty option) and nutritious (you’ll get good amounts of Vitamins C and B6, as well as potassium), canned tomatoes are also easy to use in different sauces, soups, stews and chilis.
Don’t underestimate the value of beans. Beans are one of the more versatile foods and are high in protein, fiber, iron, thiamin, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese… Those little guys pack a big nutritional punch!
Hold Back on Snacks
Snack foods will lower your bank account balance while making it almost impossible to lower your waist size. Junk food is just that… junk! It is unnecessary, unhealthy and very expensive. If you can avoid the snack aisle, do it!
Sure, there are times where you need some nourishment, but that doesn’t mean you have to reach for the greasy potato chips. How about kale chips or apple chips? Save money by making your own; they are sure to be healthier. Instead of spending tons of money on trail mix or health bars wrapped in bright, fancy packages, try making your own mix. Start with your favorite nuts like walnuts and almonds and add in some dried fruit such as dates, prunes, raisins or cranberries. It will probably be healthier than the packaged mixes, and are sure to cost less.
Thrifty, not Thirsty
First, think about how important water is. It makes up over half of your body! There’s no better way to keep happy and hydrated than by drinking water. Now, compare the price of water coming out of your tap than to that in the plastic bottles. Don’t pay for bottles when you get the same thing for so much less at your sink!
Also, try buying juice in concentrate. You’ll likely taste no difference, and it still has all of the original juice’s nutrients… it’s just cheaper! It’s simply the juice without water. All you need to do is add the water back!
Cutting back on alcohol can also make your body and wallet happy. It’s expensive and can be harmful to your health if consumed in excess.
Eliminating unnecessary foods, like junk foods, snacks and desserts, can really improve your health and save you money. Portion control can also help. Smaller portions mean less food. Less food means less calories and less money.
There really are ways to eat healthy and save money doing it, if you’re ready to go the extra mile. Do you have any tips for eating healthy while remaining frugal and thrifty?
