Being dedicated to eating healthy on a budget can be tricky. So how to eat healthy when most healthy foods are expensive? The key to healthy meal plans on a budget is being prepared with a shopping list of groceries, cooking ingredients, and haunting them on sales.

For an effective student diet, here are some quick budget food tips and various ways to eat healthy on a low budget for an effective student diet:

1. Budget Meal Planning

Planning ahead is important. A grocery list is your friend here! Wandering around at the grocery store and picking stuff randomly will not help your budget meals. We all get sidetracked. Write down exactly what you need to buy before heading out and stick to your list.

2. Don’t Shop Hungry

One of the most common mistakes we all make is heading to the grocery store when we’re hungry. It’s important to eat well before you shop, as the hunger might trick you into buying too many foods that you don’t really need. Buying food on a budget is not an easy task, let alone when hungry!

3. Aim for Whole Foods

Processed food is more expensive than whole foods. Go for canned beans, for example, instead of refried beans. Whole grains are essential for a cheap healthy diet plan as well, thanks to their price over processed cereals and their great benefit. Foods that are less processed tend to provide larger servings too.

4. Stock Up on Essentials

Make sure you stock up whenever you get the chance. Look for sales. Making healthy meals on a budget is easier when you have go-to ingredients. Don’t forget to check expiry dates.

5. Freeze Your Fruits and Veggies

Get to know which fruits and vegetables can be frozen. You can buy them when they’re in season (lower price) for cheap healthy snacks or quick recipes. Store them in the freezer and you’re good to go whenever you want. That way, it would be really hard to stray from your affordable diet plan!

6. Get Some Popcorn!

Who doesn’t love popcorn? You’ll be glad to know that savouring your favourite snack is one of the best ways to eat healthily. Opt for the loose kernels or seeds instead of the more expensive packaged ones. That way you’ll stay away from the extra butter and salt.

Share with us the recipes that allow you to eat well for less!