Eating ­­­healthy on a budget

When you are short of money you are likely to worry about affording healthy food. It is possible to eat healthy even when on a small budget. The key is being organised. Below are seven tips, which can help you achieve a healthy diet on a small budget.

Plan your meals in advance. Decide what food you want to get in advance and compile a shopping list so you won’t forget. This will prevent you from purchasing something because it looks good and not because it’s cheap and healthy. Planning can help you save money by buying from cheap, accessible sources.

Buy seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. Every healthy diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, but buying these items out of season can be quite expensive. If possible, buy fruits and vegetables in season to cut down on cost and enjoy the food’s taste at its peak.

Buy produce that can be used in more than one meal. One kilo of tomatoes can be used in a salad, on a sandwich and with spaghetti. By buying produce that has more than one use, you prevent waste and give yourself more options.

Budget for your snack food. Keeping carrot sticks or yoghurt in your fridge will keep you away from more expensive, unhealthy foods. Also, eat before you go shopping because shopping while hungry may make you toss quick, easy to eat and unhealthy foods into your shopping basket because they look good at the time and you know they will satisfy you quickly.

Make your own simple dressing and sauces. Olive oil, lemon juice, herbs and garlic mixed with pasta makes for tasty, in-expensive dressing. Look for similar alternatives. Also, fixings for foods like salad, sandwiches and pasta are inexpensive and healthy.

Prepare meals at home. Eating at home more often and preparing the meals yourself results in eating less salt, fat, calories and  reservatives. It also costs much less. Cooking also reduces the risk of unhealthy impulse eating, it burns calories as you prepare the food, and it can be emotionally satisfying because you know that you’re doing something good for yourself and your family.