With a little extra planning you can get the most nutritional food and still stay within your budget. There are many ways to save money on the foods that you eat. Here are a few budget friendly tips for eating healthy.
The first things to consider is cook more and eat out less. Eating out can be very expensive. Many of your favorite restaurant foods can be prepared at home for a lot less money and much healthier alternatives. Finding simple healthy recipes to cook at home that your family enjoys can be great for your pocketbook.
Create a plan before you go grocery shopping; check local newspapers online and at the stores for coupons and decide on meals and snacks beforehand to save both time and money. It is been proven that when people go into a grocery store with a list, they are less likely to impulse shop, purchasing items that are not on their list. One option is to go to www.choosemyplate.gov and “create a grocery game plan”.
A popular way of cooking currently is meal prepping. Making a large batch by doubling a recipe will save a lot of time in the kitchen later. These extra portions can be used as lunches or meals later in the week, or frozen for future use. By dividing meals up into smaller plates or containers, you can eat a balanced meal and control portions and cost. Another added benefit is purchasing foods and ingredients in bulk almost always is less expensive.
When planning meals, it is a good idea to think about incorporating certain foods that are less expensive into your menu. You can make the most out of your dollars and still be healthy by finding recipes that use some of the following ingredients: beans, potatoes, eggs, peanut butter, rice, grains, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables.
Think about making your own healthy snacks. Convenience costs money, healthy snacks that are sold individually end up costing quite a bit more. Make your own snacks by buying larger containers and dividing them into smaller portions that are conveniently ready. For example, you can make your own healthy trail mix to store in small airtight containers by combining unsalted nuts, dried fruit and whole grain pretzels or cereal. Air-popped popcorn or fresh fruit in season are some other great inexpensive healthy snack options.
Lastly remember to quench your thirst with water. Water is a very important part of a healthy and well-balanced meal plan. Substituting water in place of sugary beverages can not only save money but also help you reduce extra calories from sugars.
We at Chambers Health strive to continue our tradition of being “What You Need, Where You Are”, 
and we look forward to serving the health and wellness needs of our communities by providing the best care possible.