6 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and budget can be a balancing act – weighing healthy options versus cost. Check out these 6 tips for eating healthy on a budget to help you stay physically and financially fit:

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #1:

An easy way to eat healthy and save money at the same time is by creating a weekly shopping list and sticking to it – avoiding impulse buys. Check out these awesome apps that make it even easier to save money by keeping tabs on what’s in the cupboards, what’s in the cart and getting you cash back.

Track your healthy eating expenses with an online financial tool, such as our Trends Personal Finance Manager. You’ll be able to create budgets, set goals and track how much money you spend on groceries and dining out each month.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #2:

Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables when they are in season. Berries and broccoli are less expensive in the summer months when they are plentiful, while apples and squash are readily available in autumn – anyone up for apple picking?

Shop farmers markets and local farm stands for freshly picked produce before they close for the season. If you crave out-of-season or exotic fruits and veggies, think frozen. As well as saving money, they’re easy to toss into a blender or crock pot to create something amazingly tasty. Check out Pinterest for great recipes and ideas.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #3:

Buy store brand staples like baking supplies, eggs, milk, frozen fruit and vegetables over brand names to cut costs in the shopping cart – saving you as much as 30%.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #4:

Add beans and whole grains, like quinoa and brown rice, to bulk up meals. They’re tasty, filling and add texture to any meal.

Consider Meatless Mondays to save even more money and calories too!

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #5: 

Get more bang for your buck by eating in and inviting health-minded friends and family over for potluck. Along with saving money and experimenting with new dishes, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted conversation.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Tip #6: 

Refuse to throw good food and money down the drain – reuse leftovers to create delicious new dishes, frothy smoothies or as fertilizer to get a jump on creating your own garden.

Whether you’re shopping for kefir, whole-grain bread or butternut squash make sure to use your DuPage Credit Union Visa Debit® Card to be entered automatically into our 12 Months, 12 Prizes giveaway – which could save you even more money by winning an incredible prize like gift cards or even football tickets. Plus, when you select Credit over Debit, you’re protected by Visa’s Zero Liability Policy.

Do you have any tips for saving money while eating healthy? If so, please share below: