How to Eat Healthy on a Student Budget

Maintaining a healthy diet suggests numerous benefits, among which decreasing the risk of diabetes and heart diseases, keeping optimum weight and supplying the organism with the necessary nutrients. One more benefit, which is especially great for students, is that healthy diet can also improve academic performance.

Many students set healthy eating habits aside as they think that a balanced diet involves high costs. However, it does not actually have to empty your pockets. By following these easy tips, you will both eat healthy and keep your budget under control.

Stick to the Basics

Maintaining a healthy diet is actually very easy if you stick to eating natural foods – products that have not been processed in any way. Such food items include fruit, vegetables, nuts and healthy oils like olive or avocado oil. You will also notice that such products are not just healthier, but more affordable than those ones, which have been heavily processed.

Replace Unhealthy Products with Healthier Ones

When you go to the grocery shop, notice the labels and prices of the items you choose. For example, when in the bread aisle, compare white bread to the whole-wheat one. Most manufacturers realize that customers are more inclined to purchase healthy food items, so they regulate their product ranges and prices accordingly.

Always Have a Healthy Snack at Hand

By eating nuts and fresh or dried fruits during the day, you will not overindulge when it comes to meals. Always put several snack items in the lunch pack to prevent yourself from buying unhealthy food items on impulse.

Buy Frozen Products

When in the freezer aisle, buy the biggest packages of frozen vegetables, berries and meat. They usually offer the best prices. Besides, frozen products have the same nutritional value as the fresh ones, so you can buy in bulk.

Make a Weekly Menu Draft and Write down a Shopping List

Make a rough plan of your meals for the week, then write down a shopping list and stick to it. This way, you will easier avoid purchasing unhealthy items on impulse.

Do Bulk Shopping

Always remember to be on the lookout for bulk specials at the stores and supermarkets. They often lower prices on bulk items that can provide you with a great chance to stock up and save some money. You can shop in bulk for such products as grains, nuts, in-season fresh products and meat.

Buy from Different Stores

Always be sure to compare prices for same food items in different grocery stores in your area. Usually, you will find that some grocers mark up particular items, whilst others mark them down, depending on their price structures.

In addition, visiting several stores during the shopping trip will have you exercising without even realizing it!