Looking For Cheap Ways To Eat Healthy On A Budget?

Then you have come to the right place! There is no doubt that a meal at McDonald’s is much tastier and more filling than buying vegetables, but the ramifications of this thinking will cost you dearly in the long term. And when you apply the strategies I provide you in this article, you can save a ton!

Trust me on this one! When I went to England for my undergraduate studies, all I could do was convert British pounds into Rupee (the then conversion rate was 75 INR=1 B.Pound). Being a student and on an extremely limited budget, it almost became a need for me to budget and still eat healthily.

Here are 9 ways, which, when implemented, can you save you lots of money:

1) Whole Foods Are Highly Nutritious Than Supplements And Much Cheaper

I am not saying you don’t need supplements; you do. For example, taking krill oil to fulfill your Omega-3 requirements is super important, but you can hold on until you start building up solid eating habits before you splurge your money on supplements.

2) Don’t Go To Your Grocery Store Empty Stomach

Anything which comes in a can or is processed (like cakes, readymade stuff, soft drinks etc) will be more expensive than the basic ingredients like fruits, vegetables etc.

Now, I have seen this time pattern repeats itself time and time again: When I am super hungry, I always pick up at least a few items (which costs me at least $10-$30 extra, mainly sweet stuff as I have a major sweet tooth).

Bottomline: Only visit your grocery store after you had your meal:)

3) Don’t Go To Your Grocery Store Without A List

Let’s admit it, grocery stores are for-profit businesses, and their main job is to extract the maximum out of you with every visit. If you don’t have a list, you tend you always pick extra items that you convince yourself that you will eat later, and it ends up going in the bin or probably expires. So have a list and stick to it.

4) Avoid Entering The Middle Lanes In The Grocery Store

This is super important. If it’s in front of you, you will buy it or eat it. So why not simply avoid the temptation? Stick to the aisles where they keep healthy food! You know what I am talking about, right?

5 ) Eat At Least 50% Of Your Calories From Carbohydrates

I know I am probably contradicting myself as I belong to the low-carb advisory board. Let’s face it, proteins and fats are more expensive than carbs!

But when you are on a budget and have no choice, then choosing complex carbs like brown rice, lentils, and beans can fill you up, and they are healthy too! But do make sure that you choose the brown and unprocessed variety over the refined ones.

6) Buy Your Carbs In Bulk 

Rice, flour, and lentils don’t go bad (or, at the very least, for a long time). Buy them in bulk at a wholesale store. You will save lots of money in the long term.

7) Don’t Eat Out

I know it’s easier said than done, but by just cutting out one meal eating out every week, 4 every month, and 12 every quarter, you can save a lot. Just do the math.

8) Always Cook Extra For The Next Day

This can save you not only money but also time and effort!

9) Share Your Plate When Eating Out

Unlike Europe, portion sizes in the US are super-sized. Save money by sharing a meal. This will probably make you 70% full. To combat this, eat something before you go out to eat. Drink lots of water or even have a salad. Your cravings won’t be out of control!

All this may sound overwhelming to you, but you don’t need to do them all at once. If you can, that’s awesome, but I would suggest just being aware of these pointers, and during your next visit to the store, just try and apply these things and see if it works for you or not.

What do you think of these ways to eat healthily? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!