Have you ever gone to the grocery store and looked at the prices and sounded like Chris Rock in those In Living Color Skits?

If so, then you are not alone.  62% of people think it costs too much to eat healthfully. (USDA 2013).  This often happens to me at Whole Foods.

IDEA Fitness Journal had some great tips to Eating Healthy on a Budget and I added some of my own favorite tips to eating well on a budget!

Instead of Salmon Eat Tuna and Sardines

Tuna and Sardines packed in Olive Oil pack the same Omega 3 Fatty Acids of Salmon and are much cheaper. I get my Wild Planet Sardines in Olive Oil at Costco rather than paying $3 a pack at Whole Foods.

Try Cheaper Grains

Quinoa is all the rage so the grocery stores charge accordingly.

There are other whole grains that haven’t caught on yet or have had their time in the sun and are cheaper:  Oats, Barley, and Brown Rice.  Again, you can buy these in bulk which will save money.

 

Buy Bananas instead of expensive berries

I love berries but I either buy them at Costco or wait until there’s a sale.  A tiny package of Raspberries for $5 is too much for my budget at times.  Don’t even get me started on the outrage that can be grapes at the supermarket

Bananas tend to be cheaper than berries and I freeze them before they’re about to go bad for smoothies.

Instead of Kale eat Greens

Like Quinoa because of supply and demand, Kale has increased in price.  Eat Greens instead!  Culturally, I prefer Greens and eat them weekly.  They are cheaper and taste great!

Tip:  Try Farmers Markets or Neighborhood Produce Markets instead of the Supermarkets.  I have found Kale to be up to $1-2 cheaper for a bunch!

Don’t Buy Fancy Juices

Instead try Fruit Infused Water.  Get some Oranges, Cucumber, Mint, etc and load up your water with that.

Buy Meat in Bulk

If you’re a meat eater, then go to Costco or even Neighborhood Butcher Shops.  You will save money and it can often save you multiple trips to the store in a week.

Buy Frozen

If you’re like me and your crisper is filled with good intentions gone bad, then by all means buy frozen veggies.  Frozen vegetables are frozen at peak freshness so the nutritional value is still there and if you’re on a budget, then frozen vegetables can be much cheaper than fresh!