Woman shopping in the produce section of a grocery store in order to eat healthy

Healthy Eating on a Budget

Tapcheck Team   January 06, 2022

As 2022 is fast approaching, many of us are thinking through the resolutions we will be making and healthy eating will be a top goal. Sometimes eating healthy feels out of our reach due to the costs associated with making the change. Fruits and vegetables and other wholesome products tend to be costlier than other items that we might throw into our grocery carts.

Thankfully, all you need are a few simple tips to learn how to eat healthy on a budget. Check out this list of 11 strategies to eat healthy cheaply.

  1. Plan your meals out in advance. Making healthy meal plans on a budget is easier to do when you plan your meals a couple weeks in advance. This makes it easier to buy common ingredients that you can use on multiple recipes, and having a plan also helps to reduce food waste..
  2. Eat home-cooked meals instead of going out to eat. Another simple tip for how to eat healthy on a budget is to try to eat at home as often as possible and avoid restaurants. This will free up your food budget for buying healthier ingredients, and making food at home also gives you leftovers for lunch the next day.
  3. Stick to your grocery list. Use your two-week healthy meal plan to stay on budget, and only purchase what you need from your list.
  4. Eat before you shop. Shopping hungry is a no-no. If you are hungry, you are more likely to add junk food and impulse buys to your cart. So, be sure to eat before you shop.
  5. Avoid junk foods. Junk foods do not have as much nutritional value as more healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Try to replace unhealthy snacks with healthier options. 
  6. Don’t shy away from generic brands. You’ll be surprised at how many generic brands taste the same as the name brand. Sometimes they taste even better!
  7. Cut coupons and keep your eye open for deals. Coupons can help you eat healthy cheaply, but don’t be tempted to stock up on something just because you have a coupon for it. If it isn’t something you would usually buy, then chances are it will find itself in the back of your refrigerator or pantry and eventually go bad before you get to use it.
  8. Make more stews, soups, and casseroles. Want to know how to eat healthy on a budget and make delicious, flavorful dishes? Consider adding casseroles, soups, and stews. These meals are a great choice because they require cheaper cuts of meat, make lots of food, and are great for leftovers.
  9. Don’t be afraid of leftovers. Those casseroles make excellent next-day meals. Making the most of your leftovers is a great way to eat healthier, while maximizing your budget.
  10. Frozen fruits and veggies are cheaper. Fresh produce is expensive, but frozen veggies cost less and can be kept in your freezer for longer. This makes them a great option to incorporate as part of your healthy meal plans on a budget. You still get to enjoy the health benefits of fruits and veggies without the fear of them going bad before you use them.
  11. Add extra flavor by growing your own herbs. Kitchen herb gardens are an inexpensive way to add great flavor to your home-cooked meals. And they are fairly inexpensive to grow! Learning how to eat healthy on a budget never tasted better!

Eating healthy on a budget is possible. We hope these 11 tips help you live a happier, healthier new year! And, while you’re at it, check out these exercise tips too!

Tapcheck Team

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