Heyy,
Hope all is well on your side, just dropping in to chat to you about: Healthy eating on a budget.
This is a life skill we can all benefit from, so here are some practical tips to make cheap, healthy meals at home. Let jump straight into it.
Learn a few dressings (game-changer)
To make your nourishing whole foods more appealing, learn how to make a few dressings that you love. Some of my favourites are:
- Pesto - basil, garlic and walnuts (makes a better pesto and are way cheaper than pine nuts)
- Tahini dressing - tahini, lemon, soy sauce
- Tomato sauce - tomato, garlic, olive oil
Don’t forget the salt and pepper to taste of course! I can put these on anything. This is a foolproof way to make your meals taste amazing.
The underrated frozen vegetables
Did you know frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh ones? In fact, they may even be more nutritious because they are frozen soon after picking, when the enzymes are still intact. Fresh vegetables usually take days to reach your plate and are decomposing the entire time. Stock your freezer with frozen vegetables that you can add to any meal. My favourites are petite pois, broccoli, and green beans.
Combine the low-cost carbs you've chosen (like potatoes, rice, and beans) with frozen vegetables and the healthy dressings you've learned how to make, and you can create cheap, healthy meals.
Organic produce too pricey?
We know, we know. What I've found is, when I shop at Saturday markets, I can get the same ingredients for 30-40% off. Plus, you get to support local independent businesses and become a part of the community (if that's your thing). So there, if there’s a will there is a way.
Watch where you shop
If you don't already have a budget supermarket like Aldi or Lidl nearby, plan trips to your nearest one and bulk buy what you need, so you end up in more expensive local supermarkets as little as possible. This will make a big difference to your healthy eating on a budget journey. Also, keep an eye out for the reduced bucket in the refrigerated produce section, where you can often find reduced produce, sometimes organic.
Don't fall for this supermarket trick
Cheaper alternatives are usually lower down on the shelves, with the pricier options at eye level. So, check lower down and don't grab the first thing you see!
To summarise
Eating healthy on a budget can be a challenge, but with a few minor tweaks it can be done! Learn to make a few dressings to flavour your meals, stock up on frozen vegetables, watch where you shop, and don't fall for the supermarket trick of placing pricier items at eye level. With these tips, you can make cheap, healthy meals at home.
In a bit,
Frugal Franky
