Healthy eating can be costly, especially if you have a large family. Buying fresh food can really add on to the grocery bill, yet it seems that those are often the best options if you want to create healthy meals. Time is also a factor, as many families are in a hurry in the mornings and are starving by the time they get home from school and work. It’s hard to cook a well-balanced meal every night and still have time for all the other things you have to do.
Eating well is important, however, not just for our physical health but for our mental health; the right food and drink can have a profound effect on the way we cope with anxiety, stress, and even depression. Fortunately, there are several ways you can eat well without breaking the bank; it just takes a bit of creativity and the willingness to plan ahead. It’s also a good idea to compare store ads and coupons and get familiar with the seasonal items that are on sale. These are usually cheaper than they are at other times of the year, so you can stock up a bit and freeze some things for later. Preparation is one of the keys to creating healthy meals for your family.
Keep reading to find out what else it takes.
Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
Nothing will run up your grocery bill like heading to the store without a meal plan. You’ll start throwing random things into the cart because they sound good at the moment, then get home and find a bunch of sides and no protein source. Sit down and write out a meal plan for the entire week, including breakfasts. Think about what your schedule is like. Will it be easier for you to make a bunch of casseroles or soups and freeze them to reheat on busy nights? Having a good plan will ensure that you don’t overspend and will have healthy ingredients for each meal.
Find Soup Recipes
Soups are wonderful when you’re trying to eat healthier because you can stuff them full of protein and veggies and make enough for the entire family without spending a ton of money. Plus, there’s usually enough leftover to freeze for another dinner. Look online for the best healthy soup recipes, and plan them out so you can utilize leftover ingredients from other meals. For instance, if you have roast chicken, save the bones and smaller pieces to make broth.
Pack Your Snacks
The vending machine at work may be eating into your fitness plan right along with your wallet. It can get expensive if you visit it once a day, so pack snacks to bring with you instead. Dried fruit, granola, nuts, and yogurt are wonderful pick-me-ups to have when you need a little something midday, and they’ll give you the energy to help you get through the afternoon.
Read Labels
It’s so important to know how to read food labels since they can be confusing. It’s not just about serving size; you also need to know what those ingredients are and how they relate to everything else in your diet. Many foods have sugars in them that you might not even think about, such as spaghetti sauce and orange juice, meaning you could be packing unhealthy items into your cart. Look at the labels every time you shop and get familiar with what they mean.
If your and your children’s diets are missing any essential nutrients, look for an affordable multivitamin. Not only can a multivitamin fill in nutritional gaps, but it can be an immunity booster as well.
Healthy eating on a budget doesn’t have to be stressful. With a good plan and research, you and your family can eat well every night without breaking the bank. Get creative and prepare as much as possible to make dinnertime easy, and talk to your family about how they can help.
Photo via Pixabay by Jill111