Contrary to popular belief, eating healthy and saving money aren’t mutually exclusive, especially during the pandemic. Sadly, most of us probably forgot that fact. In the UK alone, experts are already theorizing that COVID-19 lockdowns promoted unhealthy eating habits,[1] and it’s not hard to see why. But now should be the time to figure out how to eat healthy on a budget.
As the world continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, you should take this opportunity to take care of your body without breaking the bank. Here are some ways to do so.
How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
Learn How to Cook
If you want to save money in general, this is the first skill you should be learning. Seriously, you won’t be able to apply most of these tips if you don’t know how to cook. And other than working and playing video games, it’s not like you have other things to do. So just watch a YouTube tutorial or let a family member teach you. Remember, learning is always free.
Eat More Greens
We usually associate eating healthy with expensive food items that it’s easy to just go with cheap junk food. You certainly don’t need to buy expensive diet pills and food supplements just to keep yourself healthy. Sometimes, all it takes is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Introducing more greens to your diet is a lot healthier and a lot cheaper.
Frequent the Local Market
If you’re looking for more savings, the nearest local market is the best place to go. From there, you can buy your vegetables, fruits, produce, and practically anything else for cheap. Since online grocery services are getting expensive by the minute, do your own shopping and save a few bucks in the process. Plus, enjoy more discounts from your suki stalls and sellers.
Try Easy and Safe Diet Trends
You probably tried losing weight as part of your New Year’s resolutions, along with starting a few ipon challenges to start the year right. So why not save money and lose weight by trying easy and safe diets like intuitive fasting[2]? These usually just involve scheduling your meals right—no need to shop for specific food items from expensive whole foods stores.
Cut Your Snacking in Half
One of the negative Filipino habits we have to unlearn is the number of snacks in a day. We’re probably the only ones in the world who eat four snacks: the post-breakfast snack, the afternoon merienda, the after-dinner snack, and the midnight snack. So if you want to eat healthier while saving money, the obvious solution is to cut your snacking in half, possibly to zero.
Support Local Businesses
But if you’re really that busy and you’re looking to spend money guilt-free, why not support local businesses in your area? They prepare healthier dishes compared to other fast food options, and they’re more affordable. Plus, you probably won’t need to drive miles to figure out how to eat healthy on a budget. Just explore your neighborhood and check out
Drink More Water
Water is free, right? Or at least it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Another key to figuring out how to eat healthy on a budget is to keep hydrating your body. You can download free hydration apps to keep track of your water intake. Also, you don’t need to buy trendy tumblers just to motivate yourself to drink more. Cheap but food-grade and BPA-free water bottles are easily available anywhere.
Final Thoughts
The future may be a bit bleak, but that doesn’t mean you should just eat your way to destruction. So cheer up, stop doom-scrolling, and start working on yourself. Figuring out how to eat healthy on a budget is the first step you can take to better yourself while you’re stuck at home. The world will open soon—give everyone the healthiest version of yourself.
This article also appeared in The Manila Times.
Sources:
- [1] COVID-19 pandemic may have promoted unhealthy eating in the U.K. (News Medical, 2021)
- [2] 'Intuitive fasting' promises fewer cravings and more energy. (Health, 2021)
Back to Blog 
