HEALTH

It's already hard enough to eat healthy, but it's even harder when you're on a tight budget. Don't lose your motivation, though. We know it can be extremely easy to give up and buy whatever food is cheapest and easiest, but thankfully there are some ways to make your noms both nutritious *and* not-so-bad for your wallet. 

1. Plan your meals. When if comes to making the dreaded grocery store trip (or telling your mom what you'd like her to get), planning out your meals is essential. Take 10 minutes out of your day to make a list—it helps if you only write down what you *know* you need for the upcoming week so you're not spending extra money. Then, stick to your grocery list, aka don't pick up anything more. 

2. Buy fresh produce when it's in season. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a huge part of your diet and you simply cannot go without them. To save money, buy the produce that's in season because it will be cheaper. If you want to take it to the next level, you can always freeze your produce to preserve it longer and enjoy later. 

3. Cook at home. Making all your meals at home will definitely save you some extra dough along the way. Most of us spend our entire babysitting cash on eating out, so start by cutting back and only eating out twice a week. Eventually, the routine will get easier and you'll learn how to make a ton of new dishes that are for sure to impress your besties. 

4. Repurpose your leftovers. If you cook a big dinner, use your leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Also, you can try turning your leftovers into a new meal like using last night's pasta in tonight's chicken noodle soup. This will guarantee that none of your food is going to waste or sitting around in your fridge for weeks. Remember something as simple as rice and chicken can go a long way.

5. Buy whole foods. Unporcessed foods are cheaper and more nutritious than processed foods (aka anything that comes in a box). Plus, you'll have *total* control over the ingredients and aren't paying for all the extra salt or sugar added to your food (even if it tastes better!).

What do you think is the best way to eat healthy on a budget? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo credit: Pinterest.

by Leah V. | 11/17/2018