How to eat healthy on a budget

Rose May Pimentel in Tips and Advices

Jun 01, 2020 • 2 min Read

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive especially during this pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has gravely impacted on our daily lives, including our budgets. Many families are experiencing economic hardships and looking for ways to stretch every peso.

Here are some ways from Healthline that can help you eat healthy even on a very tight budget:

1. Plan Your Meals

Plan your meals for the week and make a grocery list. Check items that are available in your cupboards and make a list of the necessary grocery list.

2. Stick to Your Grocery List

Stick to your grocery list when you’re shopping. Shop the perimeter of the store first, as this is where the whole foods are generally located.

3. Cook at Home

Cooking at home is way less expensive. Some find it best to cook for the entire week on weekends, while others like to cook one meal at a time.

4. Cook Large Portions and Use Your Leftovers

Cook large meals from inexpensive ingredients, and use your leftovers during the following days.

5. Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry

Shopping while hungry can lead to cravings and impulsive buying. If you’re hungry, have a snack before you go grocery shopping.

6. Buy Whole Foods

Whole foods are often less expensive than their processed counterparts. You can also buy them in larger quantities.

7. Buy Generic Brands

Most stores offer generic brands for many products. These are often of the same quality with the more expensive national brands.

8. Stop Buying Junk Food

Stop buying junk food at the store. It is expensive and packed with unhealthy ingredients. It also offers little or no nutritional value.

9. Stock up on Sales

Stock up on staples and favorite products when they’re on sale. Verify the expiry dates to help you plan out a schedule of use.

10. Replace Meat With Other Proteins

Try replacing meat once or twice a week with beans, legumes, eggs, or canned fish. These are all cheap and nutritious sources of protein.

11. Buy in Bulk

Many foods are available in bulk for a way lower price. They keep for a long time in airtight containers and can be used in a variety of healthy, inexpensive dishes.

12. Appreciate Less Expensive Foods

Incorporating more inexpensive yet healthy foods (such as eggs, beans, seeds, frozen fruits and vegetables, cheaper cuts of meat, and whole grains) into your daily routine will help you save money and eat well.

These are some little things you can do to make your meals and money go farther and stay healthy in the process!