Healthy Eating on a Budget

Eating healthy and on a budget is easier than you would think. You just have to follow a few little “rules” and you will notice how simple it is.

I know, there are billions of such tips out there and why to make an other one. I know. And possibly you have heard/read most of my tips too, but I find such tips always helpful. So yeah, why not?

I became vegetarian about 13-14 years ago. That time I was a young teenager, so I could not care less about these things. My family and mainly my mom cooked for me, it was pretty easy. Then a few years later I started to cook for myself and I became way more conscious about what I eat and how I eat. Being vegetarian didn’t mean anymore just not eating meat but I also started to care about my health. That was the time I started to read about the basics of healthy eating and living.

Then the time came about 7 years ago I first moved out of home and I really had to learn how to eat and cook on a budget. It was first scary and I won’t lie, I often chose the easier and unhealthier options, but then I slowly realized, it does not take so much effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, I just had to invest a bit more time and put a bit more thoughts in my daily routine. I learned not to waste anything, and how to find the best possible options.

So here comes my 15 basic tips. Healthy eating on a budget. Yeah, baby….

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1. Eat seasonally! You won’t find anything cheaper and tastier than the fruits and vegetables in season. This is probably the best thing you can do for your health, environment and budget. Check out what is in season in your country/area.

2. Don’t buy anything ready-made! Forget about the fancy pre-washed salads, the chopped veggies, the salad dressings from supermarket. And I won’t even start on chips, pizza, burger, processed whatever. Unhealthy and super expensive.

3. Plan ahead! A shopping list can save a lots of money and calories for you. Plan your meals and snacks, so you will not buy a tones of unnecessary food.

4. But be flexible too! If something is especially cheap or on a discount I am pretty sure I will buy it. I’ll try to be creative and cook something with it for dinner or simple freeze it.

5. Love your beans! Beans are protein-rich superfoods, high in fiber and antioxidants. They are cheap and taste amazing. I always have at home at least 5 different type of lentils, beans or peas, frozen, dry or canned.

6. Love your frozen veggies/fruits! Frozen vegetables and fruits are always accessible, usually cheap and you can always have some in your freezer. I love to keep broccoli, beans and peas, berries and herbs always at home.

7. Love your nuts and seeds! Nuts may seem sometimes very expensive but you only need a small amount to fill you up. But seeds are usually cheaper than nuts and you can substitute with them any nuts in your recipes.

8. Love your pasta! And rice, potato, oats, bread and grains. They are the cheapest way to fill your belly up, with adding fresh fruits and veggies you can create tasty and nutritious meals. But choose whole wheat pasta and bread and brown rice.

9. Love your spices! Herbs and spices are the cheapest way to make your meals taste amazing. Use fresh or dry herbs and spices, you can make anything special. Season your meals well and variously, you’ll have a feast everyday. Using herbs and spices also helps to reduce the amount of salt you use.

10. Never waste! Learn to use every part of your vegetables. Blend the not so fancy parts in your soups or sauces, or make some vegetable patties. Make pestos out of the old green leaves which are not pretty anymore for a salad. And don’t forget, the internet is your best friend. If you feel not so creative with your half zucchini and 3 mushrooms and a handful of rockets, just search for your ingredients and I’m sure you find a lots of amazing recipes to use them up.

11. Learn to freeze! Most meals are freezable, so when you cook to much, just freeze the leftover and eat it the next days whenever you feel lazy to cook. Freezing is also an amazing way to have aubergines in the winter or pumpkin in the summer.

12. The dirty dozen. I guess you have also heard it many times, but if you can’t afford buying everything organic, choose wisely. Check out here which food has the highest pesticide residues and which are okay.

13. Grow your own food! I live in a small apartment but still manage to grow my own herbs and some salads in the summer. If you’ve got a small balcony you can make magic!

14. Find out where you can get affordable food! Farmer’s markets, supermarkets, CSA boxes, ethnic markets, whatever works for you. Every country/city is different, find out where you can get the best food for you. Try to keep it local.

15. Drink water! You can save a lots of money on cutting out soda. Plus you will feel amazing drinking a lots of water. Or drink tea and vitamin waters if you need an extra little taste.

And here are some amazing tips from amazing people, if you wanna read on:

Green Kitchen Stories – Eating healthy on a budget

Cloudy Apples – How to eat healthy on a budget

Neila Ray – Healthy eating on a budget

Cooking Light – Healthy eating on a budget

Help Guide – Eating well on the cheap