Hi Amanda,

So I recently lost my job and am struggling financially, but I still want to eat healthy. How can I eat healthy on a tight budget?

Sincerely,

Serena M.

 

Hey, Serena!

I hear you on that one! Unfortunately, when we think of “eating healthy,” many people tend to conjure up kale salads, organic produce, and trendy snacks, which can really put a dent in our wallets. I have good news for you, though! You don’t need to choose between saving money and eating healthy. You can still have nourishing choices while saving money in the process.

One of the healthiest ways to eat is full of whole grains, legumes (beans), nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. In other words- a diet that is centered around plants. Not to mention, a plant-centered diet is associated with lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and kidney disease. I, too, try to eat on a budget, and I find that eating more plants and less meat has actually cut down my grocery bill almost in half.

A few tips I follow myself are to cut down on processed foods and stick to more whole-food sources of protein (like beans, lentils, tofu, and even making my own seitan), buying in bulk, shopping at grocery store outlets or wholesale stores, and meal planning. Meal planning alone is a life and budget saver because you’re able to plan for meals that use budget-friendly ingredients, and make a lot of it at one time so you don’t need to scramble for something instant or order out when you are feeling hungry. Also, don’t feel obligated to buy organic every time. I would recommend at the very least settling for buying foods from the Dirty Dozen organic but even then- the healthiest fruit/vegetable you can eat is the one you can keep eating. Give those a try and see how you do!

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