18 Simple Strategies to Save Money on Healthy Foods

It’s a common myth that eating healthy is expensive, which is simply not true. It’s possible to eat well without breaking the bank.

Here are 18 strategies to help you save money on real, whole, healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Which one of the ideas below would be the easiest for you to try?

1. Buy in bulk. Wholesale companies, such as Costco and Sam’s Club, have great selections of healthy options, including meats, wild caught seafoods, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats – such as olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, etc.

2. Stock up on frozen food. This may seem counterintuitive but frozen food is cheaper AND more nutritious because it is picked ripe, as compared to fresh foods in stores which is picked unripe and ripens during transportation. If you see a sale, stock up on those vegetables and fruits!

3. Buy smaller fish. Larger fish, such as tuna and swordfish, can be expensive, but smaller fish, such as canned sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and herring, are not only cheaper but also much more nutritious, as they are extremely high in healthy omega 3 fats, low in mercury, and high in calcium.

4. Don’t focus on organic. If you can afford organic, go for it. However, if you’re on a budget, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list, and prioritize buying the organic varieties for these 12, as the non-organic are often high in pesticides. As a general rule, if the skin is thinner, such as in grapes or nectarines, prioritize organic, but for foods with thicker skins, such as bananas, non-organic is ok.

5. Buy ground beef. Ground beef is much cheaper than fancier cuts of beef, such as filet mignon, ribeye, prime rib, however their nutritional content is exactly the same. Plus, ground beef is very versatile. Make it into a bolognese sauce, grill hamburgers, or add to soups or stews for protein and flavor.

6. Join Thrive Market. Thrive Market is a membership-based business which offers wholesale pricing on a variety of healthy options. They offer a free 30-day trial and if you don’t make back the membership fee during your first year, they will credit the difference to your account. Plus, for every membership purchased, they donate one for free to a low-income family, student, veteran, first responder, or teacher. Save money and make a positive difference in the world. Win win!

7. Buy real snack food. This is a BIG one! We’re programed to reach for that bag of chips or a  bar for snacks, but these are in fact much more expensive than snacking on real foods. Instead of an energy bar,, opt for a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, a cup of bone broth, or a hardboiled egg.

8. Survey your pantry. Many of us have a freezer, fridge, and pantry full of food we have forgotten about. Survey what you already have in your house, and slowly start making your way through this food.

9. Buy a whole cow. No, not kidding! While there is an upfront cost of purchasing an entire cow, it will save you big money in the long run (and you can always split with family or friends).

10. Buy a cheaper cut of beef. These include brisket, rump roast, round roast, and chuck roast, to name a few. Less expensive than tender cuts, they are equally nutritious and delicious. The secret is how you cook them. Use a slow cooker or InstaPot, to tenderize and transform these cuts into mouthwatering tender pieces, comfort food that everyone loves.

11. Make a shopping list. Plan before you head to the grocery store or farmer’s market so you only purchase what you need. Stick to the list and resist temptations. You’ll waste less and save money.

12. Sign-up for Imperfect Food®. This home delivery service rescues imperfect produce that can’t be sold in stores, which would otherwise be thrown away, and sells for a discounted price. Even if the produce is oddly shaped, it is still as fresh, nutritious, and tasty, as what you would find in a grocery store.

13. Eat more eggs. Try substituting eggs for meat for some of your meals. Eggs are a great source of protein and even high quality, pastured, organic eggs are cheap. A dozen eggs will cover several meals. Breakfast for dinner can be a real treat!

14. Buy in season. Buying in-season produce, from the farmer’s market or grocery store, is generally cheaper than out-of-season produce, as farmers tend to have an abundance they are looking to get rid of, making the prices drop. If you find a great deal, buy in bulk and freeze.

15. Eat organs. I know, it may sound gross, but organs, including heart, liver, tongue, and kidney, to name a few, from any animal, cow, pig, goat, chicken, are cheap and extremely nutritious. Believe it or not, organ meats are very popular in many cuisines around the world, exotic delicacies even! But if you haven’t grown up eating them, they may take some getting used to. Try cooking them with bacon, because anything tastes better with bacon.

16. Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSA boxes are filled with fresh, local produce and are cheaper than buying from a store because you are buying directly from the farmer, cutting out the middleman.

17. Save leftover cooking oil. After cooking meat, fish, veggies, or anything with oil, save the excess drippings. Try keeping a jar by the stove or in the fridge to drain any excess oil after cooking. It will give a new depth of flavor to your next culinary creation.

18. Buy directly from farmers. Check out farms near you. Buying straight from the source cuts out the middleman, saves money and can be a nice opportunity to be out in nature.