A lot of people say they can’t afford to eat healthy. Saving money in the kitchen needs to be a priority for the person who is determined to have a healthy diet. To make it easier for you, we’ve put together some tips for healthy eating on a budget so that you are set up for success!

1. Make a meal plan and shopping list.  Budgeting is a great way to see where the money goes and to keep extra expenses to a minimum. Fancy Snacks, coffees at the coffee shop and eating out are three ways where extra money is often spent that can easily be limited by following a budget and meal plan closely. Planning is a big part of success in any endeavor. If you plan your meals and expenditures ahead of time, you won’t be surprised by extra costs here and there and you won’t be scared that you won’t be able to make ends meet.

2. Don’t waste anything. When planning meals for the next week make sure to find meals that use the food you already have at home so nothing goes to waste. Use up everything you have and be very efficient with your resources.

3. Find deals in store ads and use coupons.

4. Cook and freeze large batches. Save money by cooking at home more and eating out less. Store food properly and throw less away.

5. Grow your own food. A vegetable garden in the summer will not only help you save money, but growing food is a fun and healthy activity where you connect with nature and take a good dose of vitamin D. You don’t need a backyard, just some containers, a sunny window and a little soil. Community gardens are often free.

6. Buy in bulk and stock up during sales on food that lasts. Check unit prices – bigger packages are often cheaper. When some items become on sale or are in season, buy a large quantity and learn to keep it either by freezing, preserving or fermenting. Also, some items are much cheaper when bought in large quantity. Olive oil, for example, is much cheaper when bought in those large gallons than in the smaller glass bottles.

7. Visit the farmer’s market at the end of the day. Near the end of the day farmers often have to sell out some of their produce or else it will go to waste and they will offer great deals to those who are still hanging around the market. Make sure to also look for deals anytime of the day, some will give you $2 worth of produce for every $1 you spend.

8. Shop smart. Keep an eye on prices of items you buy often. Find stores with bargains and times when prices drop.

9. Participate in a farm share. CSA (Community-supported agriculture) programs and farm shares are getting more and more popular and there is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of this cheap, fresh and local source of food. When the season approaches, get in contact with your local farm share program to be sure to get on board on time.

10. Go fishing/hunting and pick your own food. This will of course require quite a bit more planning, but it can become a new hobby of yours and a great way to take some time off of your regular life. Those activities will bring you even closer to your food and you’ll be enjoying it even more. Also, be on the lookout for wild berries, they are delicious and a gift from nature.

11. Choose in-season veggies and fruits. Make sure you don’t spend a good part of your food budget on vegetables because there are always ways to get them really cheaply. Buying them when they are on sale, buying frozen vegetables and buying them in-season from your local farmer’s market are three examples.

Do you have a tip for eating healthy on a budget? I’d love to hear it, and I’m sure our readers would too. Share below in the comment section!