How do I eat healthy on a budget?

Plan ahead

Here are some tips:

• Set aside a certain amount of money for food every month.
• Write grocery lists and think about the meals you are going to make – and stick with the list!
• Keep an eye out for food flyers, informing you of sales at your local grocery store.
• Visit a food bank. Food banks can help you if you have a low income.
• Order food boxes from a local gardening co-op or non-profit garden that distributes fruits and vegetables.
  • If you live in Toronto, you can order fruits and vegetables from FoodShare. FoodShare is a non-profit garden that provides cheap and healthy locally-grown fruits and vegetables. They can arrange a time and place for you to pay and pick up your “box” of food.
  • If you live outside Toronto, you can ask if these services exist in your city or town at a farmers market, or at a food bank near you.

Things to remember while shopping

• Buy fruits and vegetables when they are in-season, they will be cheaper. Find out when certain foods are in-season here.
• Grow your own vegetables.
• Buy dry foods in bulk, such as pasta, rice, etc.
• Frozen vegetables are cheaper than fresh vegetables, and have the same nutritional value. Same thing goes for fish.
• Meat alternatives, like lentils, peanut butter, and tofu, cost a lot less than meat and have lots of protein in them too!