Every Thursday in 2025, I answer questions about money and budgeting. If you have any questions you like to answer in future posts, please send them here.
Here is today’s question from readers:
You need help getting a healthy food deal. I need to lose weight, but it’s much cheaper to buy fat food than healthy food. – Reader
I hear from women who always feel annoyed because they want a healthier diet but feel that is just too expensive. And I’ll get it! When you step into the grocery store, the cheapest option appears to be processed, high-calorie foods that don’t support weight loss or health goals. But here’s what I want to encourage you: change your way of thinking!
Instead of telling yourself, “Healthy foods are too expensive,” start asking yourself. “How can you make healthy diets more affordable?” This small change in thought helps you start thinking outside the box! And open mindset usually opens up new possibilities and solutions!
Here are some of my favorite ways to start coming up with ideas: to make healthy, inexpensive meals.
1. Start with a capable attitude
The first step to success is to believe you can do it. If you ask yourself that eating healthy on a budget is impossible, you are already preparing yourself for failure. But approaching it with curiosity and creativity gives us the opportunity to see everywhere.
My friend writes a blog on Cheap skick We are constantly sharing creative ways to eat healthy on a budget. If you want inspiration and realistic ideas, I recommend it Check out her blog And following her Instagram or YouTube.
2. Adjust your budget priorities
If you are financially in a truly, really tight spot, my recommendation is to recommend not to emphasize eating as fully as you feel you can. Honestly, emphasizing that you can’t afford to eat healthier foods can have a negative impact on your health too! So, if you do your best you can and have more time and money, it’s fine if it’s not as good as you want.
For those with a bit more tiny space in their budget, one way to make more money to buy healthier foods is to think creatively if there is a way to reassign funds from other parts of the budget and lump sum up a grocery budget. For example, you may have decided not to eat out (or half the usual frequency) to free up money to buy healthier foods. Perhaps you withhold your vacation (or choose to stay), invest in buying a lot of extra money (see next point!)
Every family’s financial priorities are different, so find the one that’s best for you. During the season of our lives, we chose to drive an old car and live in a small house. It’s all about trade-offs and spends in a way that matches what’s most important to you.
3. Buy large quantities and plan ahead
Bulk purchases can save you a significant amount of money, especially with staple foods such as rice, beans, oats and meat.
Other bulk purchase options:
- Check out the discounted “seconds” at your local orchard (incomplete fruit that tastes the same!)
- Check out the warehouse stores and food cooperatives in your area.
- Check if Azure Standard It will be streamed in your area.
4. Grow your own food
Even if you don’t have a huge backyard, you can still grow some of your own food. Herbs, lettuce and tomatoes work well in small spaces and indoors. If you have kids, get them involved! It’s a great way to save money and make healthy eating more enjoyable.
As a child, I loved growing lettuce every summer. It was a very enjoyable process to plant and water it and watch it grow. I’ve even heard that some parents pay their children for the produce they’re growing up. It’s much less than buying it in the store, and it will allow your child to have a way to make money!
PSST! Speaking of paying for others to grow things, make sure someone in your area loves gardening and is willing to sell, barter, or hand over extras from your garden!
5. Please check the online site for information on transactions
You don’t have to resort solely to local grocery stores to find great deals on healthy foods. Websites like AmazonGrove.co, Vitacost, and Martie may offer great sales and deals on organic and natural products. Pro Tips: Use camelcamelcamel.com Track price drops on Amazon and get notified when items are sold!
6. Keep it simple
Don’t overly complicated a healthy diet. Focus on simple whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and more. Please be aware when items are sold and in stock. Fruits and vegetables can be added or frozen during sales.
One of the easiest ways is to make small incremental changes. Swap sugar-like cereals for oatmeal, learn to make your own snacks instead of buying them, start making homemade whole wheat bread, and cook more meals at home instead of eating out. These small shifts increase over time.
7. Prepare meals in advance
One of my best secrets to sticking to a healthy diet is the preparation of your meal. If you have an easy and ready-to-eat option in your fridge, you are much less likely to reach for unhealthy convenient foods.
Some ideas:
- The vegetables are washed and chopped in advance, making them easy to grab.
- Hard boiled eggs for quick snacks.
- Cook large batches of brown rice or quinoa and use throughout the week.
- Roast the whole chicken and use the meat for multiple meals.
8. Define healthy diets based on priorities
A healthy diet looks different to everyone. Maybe your goal is to eat more vegetables, avoid processed foods, and reduce your sugar intake. Don’t feel pressured to follow other people’s food rules. Focus on what makes sense for you and your family.
And I have to say that: if weight loss is your goal, remember that the number of scales is not the only indicator of progress. Focus on how you feel. Is there more energy? Do you sleep well? Are your clothes different? These are all signs that you are making a positive change!
9. Give yourself grace
A healthy diet doesn’t have to be everything. Life happens. You may have days to eat the bandwagon that is really eating healthy, and it’s fine! The goal is not perfect, it’s consistency. Do everything you can with what you have and let go of your guilt.
After all, it’s absolutely possible to eat healthy on a budget. It requires a little planning, creativity and a change of perspective. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, start looking at what you’re doing can do. You have this!
What advice and suggestions do you have for this reader? I want to hear it!
Do you want to make this in the year when you finally stick to your budget? !
Tracking your budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated! Please use these Free budget spreadsheet To easily plan and track your spending every month!
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
