Eat Less, Save More: 4 Diet Tips to Boost Your Budget

Canada’s food prices continue to rise, spelling trouble for Canadians on tight budgets. Prices for foods purchased from stores increased faster than the all-items on the Consumer Price Index for the 11th month in a row. In an effort to lessen expenses, people have been trying to figure out ways to modify their budgets so they can afford food.

One surprising way to reduce spending is changing your eating habits and eating less. Not only will you save more money on food, but going on a personalized weight loss program or nutritional plan will also allow you to develop healthier habits overall. You can stay healthy longer, keeping your medical expenses down in the long run. And you don’t have to skip meals or get rid of your favorite foods; by focusing your budget on nutritious foods, you can stay full for longer. Here’s how you can change up the way you eat to save more:

Cook at home

Sometimes heading to a restaurant may seem like the only way to satisfy a craving, but constantly eating out can be hard on your wallet. Avoid excess expenses and meet your fitness goals by preparing your food at home instead. They don’t have to be too complex or gourmet to be good, but simple recipes can still do the trick and save you money. You also have the benefit of knowing what ingredients are going in your food, so you can adjust ingredients to make them healthier.

Buy in bulk

Buying food in bulk is a much more efficient way to shop than purchasing items one by one. It saves you time and money by cutting down your trips to the grocery and gives you more to work with when making meals. It’s important to be strategic about your bulk purchases, and only buy what you need to minimize waste. Stock up on frozen foods that you can store and keep fresh for longer so you can use them more often and in various ways. If you and your family enjoy eating certain products, buy them in bulk since you know you’ll use them. Before your shopping trip, take inventory of what you need and stick to your list

Opt for cheaper cuts of meat

Buying meat can be pretty pricey, so it’s crucial to know which cuts are cheaper, but can still make for a high-quality meal. Eye of round can be a good substitute for prime rib, and they still make a good roast despite costing half of the latter’s price. When you buy chicken, buy it whole instead of boneless or skinless; take note that the more steps there are in processing the meat, the more expensive it will be. Plus, you’d have more parts to work with, like using bones to make chicken stock. Another option is to reduce your meat intake by buying smaller portions or eating more plant-based meals a few days per week.

Eat snacks and sweets in moderation

You might add snacks or sweets to your cart during your grocery trips. There’s nothing wrong with indulging now and then, but they’re unnecessary and add to your expenses. You don’t have to cross them off your list forever, but eat them in moderation instead. Don’t always buy the biggest sizes or limit yourself to buying them a certain number of times per month. The bonus of practicing moderation in snacking is that it also keeps your diet balanced.

Fitness and health don’t need to be costly. These adjustments to your eating habits not only save you money in the present but can even avoid high costs in the future. A healthy and nutritious diet keeps your body in its best condition and makes getting fit easier, so you can avoid spending your money on medication, hospital bills, and other health expenses.

For more tips on saving money, check out our other finance articles today.