Eating healthy on a budget does not have to be costly. Including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat proteins and low-fat dairy products in your daily diet takes easy planning.
Many people believe that healthy foods are more expensive, and they are concerned about the cost of purchasing more fruits and vegetables. Sometimes it can be more expensive to buy produce than other food, but this isn’t always the case.
Did you know that the cost of a serving of fruits and vegetables is 2 to 3 times less than a serving of meat?
Beans are both a vegetable and a protein. They are packed with fiber, B-vitamins, iron, potassium, and are low in fat. They’re also quite inexpensive. A pound of dried beans makes approximately 10 to 14 servings compared to a pound of beef, which is roughly 4 to 5 servings.
Making fruits and vegetables half of your plate decreases your intake of calories and saturated fat and also increases your intake of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
We’re going to look at ways to increase your whole food intake while being mindful of your grocery budget. Planning before you shop promotes healthy eating, helps you save time and money, and avoids impulse buying. You are also less likely to eat out at the last minute when a meal is planned.