Eating Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy can be a challenge, especially if you’re on a budget. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be expensive to eat nutritious meals. With a few strategies, you can create budget-friendly meals that are both healthy and delicious.

Meal Prepping

Meal prepping is a great way to save time and money. Preparing meals in advance saves you time and energy throughout the week and can help you stick to your budget. Start by planning out your meals for the week and making a grocery list with all the necessary ingredients. Check your pantry and fridge to see what you already have before you go shopping. You can also save money by making big batches of food that can be frozen and eaten later. Not only will this save you money, but it will also give you more nutritious options throughout the week.

Seasonal Produce

Seasonal produce is usually cheaper than out-of-season produce. Check your local farmers market or grocery store for seasonal fruits and vegetables. This is a great way to get fresh produce at a lower price. You can also buy in bulk and freeze what you don’t plan to eat right away.

Utilize Sales

Many grocery stores offer weekly sales and discounts. Take advantage of these deals and stock up on items you know you’ll use. You can also sign up for their loyalty program to get access to exclusive deals and discounts. Shopping for sale items is a great way to stretch your budget and get healthy items for a lower price.

Budget-Friendly Recipes

Here are some budget-friendly recipes that are nutritious and delicious:

Chickpea Curry

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon of curry powder
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of cooked rice

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes until the onion is softened. Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, curry powder, cumin, and salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over cooked rice and enjoy!

Mexican Quinoa Bowl

• 1 cup of uncooked quinoa
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can of corn, drained
• 1/4 cup of salsa
• 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup of shredded cheese

Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, bell pepper, corn, salsa, taco seasoning, and salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into four bowls, top with avocado, cilantro, and cheese and enjoy!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. With a few strategies, you can enjoy nutritious meals while sticking to a budget. Try meal prepping, shopping for seasonal produce, and utilizing the store’s sale items. Enjoy these budget-friendly recipes and enjoy the savings!