Eating healthy on a budget can seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple tips, being kind to your wallet and your body can go hand in hand.
1. Shop the Perimeter
Healthy eating starts in the grocery store. Focus your shopping in the outside aisles of the store, loading your cart with fresh produce, dairy, lean meats, and other healthy staples to form the foundation of your meals.
2. Take Advantage of Discounts
Many stores offer discounts on organic produce or even on fresh items that are close to expiring. Ask your store’s produce manager for specifics or check the website.
3. Grow Your Own Garden
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs is a great way to get the freshest and healthiest produce, while also saving on your household budget.
4. Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk typically saves money compared to buying small packages of individual items. Choose frozen or canned fruits and veggies when financially advantageous and look for items like beans and lentils, which are typically affordable in large containers.
5. Avoid Pre-Made Items
Pre-made entrees, pre-cut fruits and vegetables, bacon bits-all these items are convenient and easy to use, but their prices are marked up compared to their single components. The same goes for buying prepared foods in the deli sections.
6. Plan Ahead
Plan out your meals and snacks. Create shopping lists to find the ingredients you’ll need at the lowest cost.
7. Stretch Your Meat
Incorporate plant-based proteins and lower-price proteins like eggs and beans into your meals to stretch the more costly foods like lean meats, fish, and poultry to last longer.
By following these simple tips, eating healthy on a budget can be easy and accessible. A few small changes may be all you need to make to be kind to your wallet and your body while enjoying plenty of satisfying, healthy meals.
What are some healthy snacks that are cheap?
1. Frozen fruit
2. Nuts and seeds
3. Popcorn
4. Boiled eggs
5. Apples or bananas
6. Trail Mix
7. Whole grain crackers
8. Whole grain toast with peanut butter
9. Air-popped popcorn
10. Hummus with cut-up veggies
What is the best budget-friendly healthy snack?
Fruit and nut bars, whole grain crackers with peanut butter, hummus and carrots, yogurt and berries, trail mix with nuts, fruits and seeds, and roasted chickpeas are all excellent budget-friendly healthy snack options.
What are some healthy snack ideas on a budget?
1. Air-popped popcorn
2. Nuts and trail mix
3. Roasted chickpeas
4. Fruit and vegetable sticks
5. Greek yogurt
6. Canned tuna, salmon, or sardines
7. Edamame
8. Whole grain toast with peanut butter or hummus
9. Muffins made with whole grains and healthy fats
10. Home-made trail mix (cereal, dried fruit, nuts)
11. Unsweetened applesauce
12. Popcorn and rice cakes
13. Hard-boiled eggs
14. Avocado slices
15. Frozen yogurt
16. Low-fat cheese sticks
17. Veggie burgers
18. Frozen fruit
19. String cheese
20. Low-fat frozen yogurt cups
What are some healthy snacks for kids on a budget?
1. Fresh or dried fruit
2. Popcorn or air-popped chips
3. Yogurt and granola
4. Hummus and fresh vegetable sticks
5. Whole-wheat crackers and cheese
6. Trail mix made with nuts and dried fruit
7. Hard-boiled eggs
8. Unsweetened applesauce
9. Baked beans on toast
10. Rice cakes and peanut butter
11. Veggie and nut butter sandwiches
12. String cheese
13. Frozen yogurt bars
14. Smoothies
15. Healthy energy bars
16. Frozen fruit with yogurt
What are some easy and healthy snacks for children?
1. Apple slices with peanut butter
2. Trail mix
3. Yogurt with fresh fruit
4. Carrot sticks with hummus
5. Celery sticks with cream cheese
6. Popcorn
7. Whole wheat crackers with cheese
8. Banana with almond butter
9. Berries and low-fat yogurt
10. Low-fat string cheese
11. Oatmeal raisin cookies
12. Whole-grain toast with peanut butter
13. Kale chips
14. Roasted chickpeas
15. Edamame
16. Hard boiled eggs
17. Air-popped popcorn
18. Frozen yogurt cups
19. Smoothies
20. Protein bars
What healthy snacks can I make for my kids?
1. Baked apple chips
2. Trail mix
3. Banana popsicles
4. Popcorn
5. Vegetable and hummus cups
6. Whole wheat pita chips with guacamole
7. Granola bars
8. Yogurt cups with fresh fruit
9. Roasted chickpeas
10. Pizza pinwheels
11. Oatmeal bars
12. Vegetable soup with whole wheat crackers
13. Kale chips
14. Sweet potato fries
15. Smoothies
16. Low-fat yogurt parfaits
17. Hard boiled eggs
18. Frozen fruit popsicles
19. Air-popped popcorn
20. Protein bars
What snacks can I make for kids that are both healthy and fun?
1. Banana Sushi: Cut bananas into slices and wrap them with a thin layer of nut butter and chopped coconut.
2. Peanut Butter and Apple Sandwiches: Slather all-natural peanut butter inside a pair of thinly-sliced apples.
3. Frozen Grapes: Freeze a bunch of green or red grapes for a fun and tasty icy snack.
4. Hummus Platter: Dip raw vegetables such as red peppers, cucumbers, and carrots into a healthy homemade hummus.
5. Trail Mix: Mix pumpkins seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, almonds and dark chocolate chips.
6. Apple Nachos: Slice an apple and top with a layer of peanut butter. Add a few chocolate chips and a little shredded coconut.
7. Baked Veggie Chips: Cut thin slices of carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets. Sprinkle with your favorite spices and bake at 350°F until crispy.
8. Yogurt and Nut Butter Parfaits: Layer plain Greek yogurt with nut butter and sliced bananas. Top with a sprinkle of granola for added crunch.
9. Protein Bites: Mix together nut butter, oats, honey, chia seeds, and dark chocolate chips. Shape into bite size balls and chill.
10. Smoothie Popsicles: Blend favorite fruits with Greek yogurt and a bit of honey or agave. Pour the mixture into ice pop molds and freeze.
