The new year is a great time to start fresh, and that includes improving your diet. Research shows that eating well can significantly improve your physical and mental health. But the cost of healthy eating may be one roadblock for some people. Here’s how to make eating nutritious and affordable in 2022:
- Plan your meals. Planning meals for the week ahead can help you stick to healthy eating goals. It also prevents overspending on food because you’re less likely to impulse buy at the grocery store if you already know what you’ll be cooking. If you’re not sure where to start, download a meal-planning app or use Pinterest to find recipes based on ingredients you already have on hand. The cheapest way to go is by making your own food from scratch, so consider investing in a slow cooker that can cook your meals while you’re still at work or school. You can even fill up a crockpot with ingredients before heading out so dinner is ready by the time you get home.
- Opt for frozen and canned veggies instead of fresh produce. Frozen vegetables are often just as nutritious as fresh because they’re frozen right after being picked, locking in nutrients and flavor. Canned vegetables are also an affordable option, plus they don’t need to be washed before eating.
- Set a budget. Having a set grocery budget will help keep your spending in check. You should also consider setting a weekly meal budget so that you don’t spend more than you planned when making your meals.
- Make sure you know what’s in season before you buy it and make sure it’s grown locally. This happens naturally when you’re growing your own vegetables, but it’s good advice even if you aren’t a gardener—plenty of farmers’ markets have locally grown produce these days, and it’s usually cheaper than what you’d find at the supermarket.
