A question I get a lot lately is "how do you eat healthy food on a tight budget"? I can certainly sympathize, since this was one of the biggest struggles when we started eating this way.
Along the way, we've discovered a few resources and money saving tricks for stretching a budget while eating healthy foods, so I’ve compiled them in hopes that they can help you too.
1. Meal Planning: Meal planning allows me to make some foods ahead and have them available for lunches or to re-purpose for dinners. Since meal planning, I am also able to only go to the store once a week or less and can often prepare most of the food for the week in one day, which cuts down my overall food prep time.
2. Prepare in Bulk: I’ve found this especially helpful with regards to meat. When our budget is tightest, I prepare a large, inexpensive cut of meat and reuse it different ways throughout the week. I always keep an eye out for items like Turkey, Ham, Brisket, etc. to go on sale for these occasions.
3. Find Inexpensive Veggies: Veggies can vary tremendously in price, depending on the time of year and the source. Focusing on veggies that are in season will help cut costs some. Farmers markets, CSAs, and local farmers are great resources for buying inexpensive veggies in bulk.
4. Order In Bulk: Though there is more of a cost upfront, ordering in bulk can usually save money in the long run. We order non-perishables like coconut flour, shredded coconut, olive oil, coconut oil, herbal teas, liquid castille soap, almond flour, etc. in bulk from a co-op.
5. Grow Your Own Food: Even if you live in a big city, it is often possible to grow at least some of your own food.
6. Don't Buy Drinks: If you are trying to eat healthy, hopefully you’ve already cut out things like soda, canned drinks, and processed juices from your food budget. If not, do it now! This alone is a big step in improving overall health.
