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Let's face it, grocery store prices are more outrageous than ever. On the one hand, the worrying inflationary climate is beginning to face, with the Department of Labor recently reporting that consumer prices fell 0.1% in December, the biggest drop in three years. On the other hand, we still can't find eggs we can afford-prices rise 60% in 2022 alone. 

   While many of us haven't decided to give hope or start raising our own chickens so we can have eggs again, there is imminent pressure after the holidays as we spend all our money in 2019. We had gifts and trips last December. With all the talk of food prices this month, many of us wonder if it's possible to eat healthy on a budget. It turns out that eating healthy is technically more expensive than eating "unhealthy" because foods like fast food and processed foods generally cost less. According to a Harvard School of Public Health study, the healthiest diet costs $1.50 more per day than the least healthy diet. Statistics like this can be very frustrating, so we wanted to find out how we can have the healthy, balanced diet we love while saving as much money as possible Learn more about healthy eating on a budget with our expert nutritionists for their favorite money-saving tips. Read on to find out what they have to say, and for more healthy eating tips, check out 8 Healthy Foods That Can Also Be Toxic and Even Deadly. 


1. Buying frozen fruits and vegetables Not only is buying fresh fruits and vegetables a little more expensive in some stores, but the fastest way to waste money is buying fresh produce that spoils before you buy it. Be able to use them. Solution? Buy frozen. "Frozen fruits and vegetables have a long shelf life and often cost less than fresh," says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook and member of our medical board of experts. " Many people don't like to buy large quantities of fresh produce because it can spoil quickly, but frozen produce is usually kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, which can help you eat more fruits and vegetables and to avoid food waste. 

   Many people avoid buying frozen food because they think fresh food is better in terms of nutritional value, but that's not the case. "I often get asked if frozen food is as healthy as fresh food, " says Sydney Greene MS, RDN. " The short answer is yes-and quite often, some frozen vegetables and fruit contain more nutrients than fresh fruit . ", and spinach, simple, nutrient-dense meals that can save you a ton of money, " says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, RD and author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and author of Fueling of Male Fertility.  

2. Buy in season "Fruits and vegetables often cost less when they're in season," says Goodson. " The good thing is that they usually taste better too. Buying in time is a great way to support local farmers, save money on fresh produce, and enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables all year round. Setting intentions to eat on time is one thing, but how do you know which products are in season? First, you can check out the USDA Seasonal Produce Guide, which will give you an overview of spring, summer, fall, and seasonal produce. produce for the winter. You can also try the Seasonal Food Guide website, where you can search by month, state, and specific product types. However, if you choose to look for seasonal produce, head to the local store or farmers' market to save a little money. 

3. Buy in bulk where you can If you're not already a Costco fanatic, you'll probably want to become one soon. That way, you can start eating healthy on a budget, as our nutritionists recommend: Buy in bulk. 

4. Shutterstock "Buying food in bulk or large packages can often help you save money," says Goodson. " Foods like nuts and seeds, shredded cheese, whole grains (oatmeal bars, granola, rice, pasta), legumes, frozen foods, and meat all have a longer shelf life, allowing you to get healthy food at a lower price. " If you plan to buy nuts or seeds in bulk, " Ditch the prepackaged goods and go to the bulk bin. Not only will this cut costs, but you'll also get organic food discounts, " says Greene. 

5. Create a meal plan to plan meals for the coming week. Now, we know it's not going to be easy, and your schedule may simply not allow for the time and effort required to complete this step. If so, the time will be much less-it will take time to try on this task list. However, if you have the time to do the work, you might want to consider creating a weekly meal plan for yourself.