Last Updated on October 22, 2021
A lot of people wrongfully assume that they have to spend a lot of money to have a high-quality healthy diet. This is also one of the main reasons why many people don’t try eating healthy in the first place. This is very sad considering how easy it can be to eat great on a budget.
You don’t necessarily have to pay a premium for organic foods or spend extra money on the latest superfoods to have a good diet. Eating well is all about getting all your nutrients and keeping an eye on your habits, not eating organic or following the latest fads. Let’s take a look at how you can eat well for less.
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Make as Much as You Can Yourself
One of the ways in which people end up wasting money at the supermarket is by buying too many prepared foods. Anything that has to be prepared will cost more because of the additional labor involved. This is also a clever trick food manufacturers and retailers use to overcharge clients for things they could easily do themselves.
One of the best things you could do to reduce your food shopping costs would be to learn how to cook. You have no idea how much you’re getting overcharged on things like baked goods when you could make them at home with much better results.
You could learn to do everything from bread or jam, to tomato sauce all on your own and make major savings as a result. You could also learn how to make dishes like pizza at home. You’ll be surprised at how cheap and easy it can be to make your own pizza. And, since you’ll have full control over the ingredients, you can make it as healthy as you want.
Another thing you should consider making yourself is cheese. This is something that intimidates a lot of people, but all you need are a few ingredients to get started. All it takes is milk, rennet, a pot, and cheesecloth to make cheese. The process is extremely simple and you could enjoy delicious cheese for a fraction of the cost.
Use a Meal Prep Service
We do understand, however, that not everyone has the skill or time to cook. The next best option in this case would be to go for a meal kit service. Don’t assume that meal kits are out of your budget either. While many of these kits are indeed expensive, some services focus on selling cheap meals everyone can afford. EveryPlate is a great example. You can check this review from top10.com for more information. You’ll learn how much you can expect to pay per meal, some of the pros and cons of their service, and who it would be a better option for.
Stock Up on Non-Perishable Dry Foods
Dry, non-perishable foods are some of the cheapest in the supermarket and there are tons of cheap healthy options there. Things like lentils and chickpeas pack a very strong nutritional punch and are very affordable. Not only that, but they’re extremely versatile as well.
There are so many things that you can do with chickpeas. You could make homemade hummus, or turn them into a salad by adding fresh herbs like coriander or parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Lentils can be added to soups or eaten as a side dish. Another great thing about dry non-perishables is that you can make additional savings by buying them in bulk, so stock up on your favorites and learn how to turn them into delicious main or side dishes.
Grow Your Produce
Another thing you should consider doing is growing your produce. If you have the space for gardening, you could easily grow things like lettuce, cucumbers, or tomatoes from home. Even if you don’t have gardening space, there are still some things that you can grow on a windowsill or inside your home. If you’re using a lot of fresh herbs, you could easily grow them inside. There are also things like watercress that you can grow hydroponically that will give you massive yields. So, look at your options and find opportunities to save.
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Go for Generic Brands
If you have a limited budget, you need to stop going for brand-name products and start looking for generic versions. Don’t assume that they won’t be as good as the original either. Some stores are known for having great generic store brand products, and they can be better than the big brand products in some cases. Don’t fall for the marketing ploy, and read reviews on brands and products before buying them.
These are all tricks you can use to reduce your food spending while still eating great. Follow these tips and pay close attention to the buying decisions you make.
