Cheap Healthy Eating Meal Plan

Introduction

Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive. With a little preparation and planning, you can find plenty of ways to save money on healthy meals. You can create a healthy and budget-savvy meal plan that will work for you and your family. From shopping smart to making the most of leftovers, there are plenty of ways to make healthy eating affordable.

Make a Meal Plan

Creating a meal plan is the first step to keeping your grocery budget in check. Write down a few meals that you can make with ingredients you already have on hand. Then, create a list of meals that you would like to make for the week, and make a shopping list of ingredients you will need. Check the sales ads to see what's on sale and plan your meals around the sale items. Try to pick meals that have some overlap in ingredients, so you can buy once and use multiple times. For example, if you're making tacos one night, you can use the leftover ground beef for a pasta dish the next night.

Shop Smart

When you shop for groceries, look for the store brands. They are usually less expensive than the name brands and the quality is usually just as good. Buy the items that are in season, because they tend to be less expensive than the out-of-season items. Also, try to shop at stores that have specials and rewards programs. They often have great deals and discounts on healthy foods.

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money on healthy foods. Look for items like nuts, grains and dried fruits that will last a long time and that you can use in multiple recipes. Buying in bulk will also help you avoid those last-minute trips to the store, which can quickly add up in your grocery budget.

Make Your Own

Making your own food can be a great way to save money. Making your own bread, granola bars and trail mix can be quite economical and much healthier than store-bought versions. You can also make your own sauces, dressings and snacks like hummus or guacamole. Making your own food will also give you more control over the ingredients, so you can avoid unhealthy additives.

Reuse and Repurpose

Making the most of leftovers is a great way to save money on healthy meals. Use leftovers to create new meals, like turning last night's steak into a steak salad or using leftover cooked veggies in a quesadilla. You can also freeze leftovers for another night, or use them to make soups and casseroles. Reusing and repurposing leftovers is a great way to save money and keep your meals interesting.