Feeling broke when you hit the grocery store checkout is everyones new normal.
Food inflation is real, and its hitting every family where it hurts in the wallet and the fridge.
In reality, healthy foods available in most stores can also be incredibly budget-friendly.
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Why Is Healthy Food Expensive?
Wesleysays the misconception that a healthy diet costs more is also about convenience.
A nutritious, delicious meal takes more time to prepare.
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For some people, time equals money, Wesley says.
And that can be a barrier to eating healthier.
Did you know?
She recommends farmers markets and other local alternatives.
Probably three times as much as what I get at Publix for the same cost.
Its also worthwhile to avoid some aisles with snack food or prepared foods altogether.
Wesley says clients are surprised when she advises skipping any aisle or section labeled nutrition.
Top 10 Foods To Help You Eat Healthy on the Cheap
1.
Canned Tomatoes
As a cost-effective canned good, its hard to beat tomatoes.
Worried about the BPA lining in the cans?
Oats
Ditch the oatmeal packets with added sugar and buy a bag of naturally gluten-free, old fashioned oats.
Oats are versatile, cheap, contain B vitamins and are a good source of healthy carbs and fiber.
Some studies even suggest oats, as part of a well-balanced diet, could helpprevent heart disease.
Sweet Potatoes
Potatoes earn a bad rap as a starchy, carb-stuffed side dish.
But a baked potato without all the extras is a powerful, relatively low-calorie source of magnesium.
Beans and Lentils
Pound for pound, the most inexpensive protein is canned beans, says Wesley.
Canned Tuna
Were on the hook for big bucks when we opt for fresh seafood at the grocery store.
Concerned about mercury poisoning?
Frozen Vegetables
Youve probably heard this, but its worth repeating.
Inexpensive frozen veggies like green beans lock in better value because theyre preserved atpeak freshness.
This is also true of canned fruits, although they are often accompanied by added sugar.
(Look for labels that say no added sugar if thats your preference.)
Frozen Berries
Disease-fighting berries are essential sources of nutrients meant to bolster yourimmune system.
But it can be hard to afford fresh fruit, especially out of season.
I always attempt to find that line between convenience and price, Wesley says.
If it means youll cook more at home, buy the instant brown rice.
These are Wesleys top tips for trimming food waste and making healthy, cheap meals at home.
For instance, one of her clients really wanted to take a trip to Paris.
Step 3: Store Produce Properly
Wesley recommends storing produce inclear, humidity-controlled containersin the fridge.
People go to the store with wonderful intentions.
And then, at the end of the week, they end up throwing out food.
Theyve used those drawers every fridge comes with.
I call them the drawers of death.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
