Eight Tips to Eating Healthily on a Budget

The cost of living these days is expensive. I mean, we are now having to choose between smashed avo at brunch or saving for a house deposit. Yup, that’s where we’re at.
With all the expensive superfood powders, smoothies and Pilates classes to choose from, wanting to stay on top of your health can be a daunting task. But, as a broke, health-conscious millennial myself, I am here to tell you that it is possible to eat healthily whilst pinching those pennies. So, here are my top eight tips for eating healthy on a budget.

1. Just Start
Switching from the junk food aisle to the fresh food section can be overwhelming for some, especially for those who think you must buy organic to do it properly. While buying organic is ideal, it is expensive and not necessary for all fresh produce. So, don’t wait until you can afford organic, the most important thing is to just start. You’re better off eating some fruit and veggies than none at all!
You can read here about the clean fifteen and the dirty dozen.

2. Farmer’s Markets are your Friend
Most cities have a farmer’s market, full of fresh, locally sourced produce. If you’re looking to save some cash on the weekly shop, ditch the supermarkets, make a day of it and support local farmers at the same time.
Here’s a hot tip, leave your trip to the market to the end of the day. Vendors often drop their prices to get rid of excess produce, so you’re likely to pick up a bargain!

3. Buy Whole Food
When eating well on a budget, buying whole, unprocessed foods is the way to go. You don’t need to buy into the uber-trendy superfood powders to improve your health. Just opt for seasonal fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and legumes. They’re inexpensive, full of your daily nutritional needs and can be included at every meal.

4. Get Creative
Use what you have! Avoid food wastage, think outside the box and mix leftover ingredients together and see what happens. Who knows, you may just invent the next big food trend.

5. Check the Frozen Section
If you’re looking to stock up on fresh produce, don’t avoid the freezer section! The fish, fruits and veggies you can find there are snap frozen, super fresh, chock-a-block full of nutrients and cheaper! Buying frozen will also help avoid food wastage and will ensure you’ll always have fresh food on hand. Pre-plan your meals

6. Plan Ahead
When it comes to saving money on food, planning is essential! Set aside some time to plan your meals for the week, research what groceries are on sale and develop a menu accordingly. Before you do a weekly shop, check your pantry, fridge and freezer to see what you already have and don’t stray from your shopping list.

7. Cook at Home
Eating out is delightful, don’t get me wrong. But if you’re trying to pinch the pennies and eat healthily, cooking at home is the way to go. Try buying cheaper cuts of meat and slow cooking them. Or incorporate a meat-free Monday into your weekly meal plan. And whenever you do cook at home, cook in bulk and freeze the leftovers. That way you’ll be more likely to reach into the freezer for a last-minute meal rather than the UberEATS App.

Feature image: Steph Wearne