Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive, too. All it takes is a little planning and prepping to make your meals nutritious and affordable.
Meal planning is key to staying on budget and finding the best deals.
Keep These Whole Foods in Your Home for Healthy Options
When we don’t plan, we end up throwing things out, and food waste can hit a budget-minded shopper in many ways. We should all aim to follow a diet that consists of whole foods such as:
- Lean meat, fish and eggs
- Half a plate of fruits, vegetables, nuts and healthy-fat rich seeds
- Limited amounts of sugar and carb-rich foods
- Lots of fiber
Simple Ways to Keep Food Costs Down
These ideas can keep your meals healthy and your budget under control:
- Avoid dining out; instead, make friends with your kitchen. This includes the microwave, because any meal you prepare in the kitchen, even one warmed with this common kitchen appliance, is still the most affordable option.
- Don’t worry about “fancy”: Lean ground beef with sautéed vegetables on a microwaved sweet potato is an easy, affordable meal that’s not bad for you.
- Plan, plan and plan some more: When you make family-size meals or double a recipe, you can freeze the leftovers in individual portions and save money while still having good choices close by.
- Avoid convenience: Premade meals are easy to make and enjoy, yet they’re often packed with salt, preservatives and cost more.
- Research saves money: When you set aside menu planning time, do so with the local specials from your grocery store in-hand or on the screen. Plan meals around the best deals.
- Buy fresh fruits and veggies in season. If you want something that's not in-season, consider frozen versions. Since these items are frozen at peak ripeness, they have the highest level of nutrients possible.
- Keep affordable items like eggs or canned tuna handy. Some veggies are always affordable, like cabbage, squash and sweet potatoes. Look for recipes that use them.
- Buy in bulk when you can, but only if you’re sure you’ll be able to use it, store it, can it or freeze it.
Keep Reading
Tips to Meal Prep for Busy Nights
Many proteins, as well as some veggies and fruits, are easy to freeze. Here are some bonus tips:
- Chop onions or peppers and freeze in a baggie for quicker meal prep later.
- Mash avocado and freeze in ice cubes trays.
- Some veggies must be blanched before freezing.
- Portion main dish items into single servings you can easily warm for future meals.
Budget Friendly Recipes
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Article submitted by the Avera Nutrition Team.
