Meatloaf secures a top spot on the list of easy, cheap, healthy meals when you use lean ground beef and boost the filling factor with inexpensive spuds. And don't you love how sheet-pan dinners like this one require so little cleanup time?

Cooking everything on one foil-lined pan speeds it up. You'd be hard-pressed to find a delivery pizza as affordable as this homemade healthy dinner recipe. Start with store-bought dough to make the Mediterranean meal a practical choice, even on a weeknight. Look for the dough in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or ask your local pizza shop if you can purchase an extra pound of their secret recipe!

Noodle dishes are known to be easy on the wallet. Not so much. Fortunately, a small handful of heart-healthy nuts can go a long way to add a rich flavor to cheap, healthy meals like this one. Whole wheat noodles help too. Low in fat 6 grams per portion yet high in protein a strong 28 grams , this five-ingredient slow cooker pork recipe checks all the boxes.

Only 10 minutes of prep required. Indeed—it's one of the lowest-cost options in this collection of cheap, healthy meals. Here's a cheap, healthy vegetarian meal you'll want to make again and again. With 24 grams of protein and a nice portion of hunger-taming broth and noodles, this soup will fill you up for hours.

Meat-like portobello mushrooms , tofu , and a poached egg join fresh veggies in this cozy, crowd-pleasing Asian noodle soup. Breaded with whole wheat panko and baked instead of fried, this eggplant Parmesan is calories less than some classic recipes.

Keep your nutrition streak going by grabbing a couple of zucchini at the store to spiralize , toss with the rest of the marinara , and serve under the baked eggplant.

Voilà—a budget dinner recipe for four that tastes up to par with its restaurant competition. A few decades ago, "stretch the meat" was the mantra for cutting costs at dinnertime.

It's still a great strategy for making cheap, healthy meals even more affordable. Here wide egg noodles , mushrooms, and a bit of cheese extend 8 ounces of ground beef to provide five hearty servings. One bite will be all the proof you need that you can absolutely make satisfying suppers without making meat the main event.

Instead of refried beans, this flavorful Mexican entrée —ready in 30 minutes—features a creamy cauliflower puree. If you're hungry and have leftover chicken or shrimp , toss them in too.

the serving size can be cut in half for an easy, healthy dinner recipe for two on a budget. To maximize your cheap, healthy dinner recipes, never let any ingredients go to waste. Instead, use any leftover pesto in these quick and easy pesto recipes.

Turn budget-friendly shaved cooked ham into a delicacy by serving it on mashed sweet potatoes and topping it with cranberry sauce.

This healthy dinner recipe on a budget offers a taste of Thanksgiving any time of year. Not into ham or craving more holiday spirit? Try this with sliced smoked turkey instead. Your favorite Tuscan-inspired restaurant may not be the first place you'd head to get inspiration for healthy meals on the cheap.

But much of this Italian region's cuisine is humble and healthy. Tuscan cooks are fond of using cannellini beans. Here the beans partner with other great Mediterranean diet -friendly ingredients for a true-to-Italy dish that won't break the bank or your nutrition goals.

When coming up with cheap, healthy meals, consider cooking with whitefish. The affordable and lean protein is mild enough to please even picky eaters.

Enjoy it on these crowd-pleasing tostadas perfectly seasoned with chili powder, garlic, and lime. On the hunt for affordable, healthy meals that work for dinner or brunch?

Get cracking—eggs, that is. Here protein-rich, budget-friendly eggs pair with other pantry staples for a cheap and easy recipe under calories per serving. Save even more money when you substitute dried herbs you have on hand for the fresh herbs.

Start planning your next chili night now. This low-cost slow cooker chili recipe can be prepped in 25 minutes. Stir everything together in the slow cooker early in the day and come home to a healthy dinner loaded with veggies and 14 grams of protein.

Sticking to healthy meals on a budget often means driving past your favorite eatery and straight home. But with nutritious restaurant remakes like this, you can don't have to miss out on take-out flavor while saving money, sodium, and calories.

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A weekly meal plan can help you create a master grocery list. Prioritize food dollars for vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean protein and Apples. Bananas. Beans. Brown rice. Chicken. Corn tortillas. Eggs. Flour. Frozen blueberries. Frozen vegetables. Ground beef or ground chuck Healthy eating doesn't have to break your budget. Try these budget and wallet friendly grocery store tips and recipes

Wallet-friendly food alternatives - Missing A weekly meal plan can help you create a master grocery list. Prioritize food dollars for vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean protein and Apples. Bananas. Beans. Brown rice. Chicken. Corn tortillas. Eggs. Flour. Frozen blueberries. Frozen vegetables. Ground beef or ground chuck Healthy eating doesn't have to break your budget. Try these budget and wallet friendly grocery store tips and recipes

Look for simple ways to save money throughout the day. Instead of picking up a morning coffee on your way to work or school, for example, make your coffee at home. Instead of buying breakfast or lunch, prepare your own using leftovers or home-made salads, sandwiches, or boiled eggs.

Buy in bulk. Buying non-perishable items, such as dried beans and canned fish, in bulk can save you money as well as shopping time. If you have the space, you can store bulk-bought grains and cereals in airtight containers and freeze perishable items, such as meat and bread, in smaller portions to use as needed.

Alternatively, you can split them with a friend—saving you both money. Shop for produce in season and buy by the bag. When produce is in season it is at its cheapest, as well as its tastiest and most nutritious.

Look for whole grains. Whole, unprocessed grains such as brown rice, oats, and quinoa are often less expensive than their processed alternatives sugar-laden cereals, white rice, and white bread and contain little to no harmful added sugar and refined flour.

Drink water instead of soda. While organically grown food reduces the potential health and environmental hazards posed by pesticides, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and additives, it can often cost more than conventionally grown food.

However, there can still be ways to enjoy the higher quality and stay within your budget:. Opt for locally grown food. Some small local farmers use organic methods but aren't certified organic due to the cost involved. Be selective.

Some fruits and vegetables have more chemical residue than others. Generally, if you eat the skin such as apples, strawberries, cucumbers choose organic. For produce such as bananas, pineapple, or avocados, stick to cheaper, conventionally grown items. Compare prices. Having an organic label on baked goods, desserts, and snacks might make them sound healthier, but even organic processed foods are still high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories.

Always read the labels carefully. The neighborhood grocery store is not the only place to shop. Sometimes other venues can offer significantly cheaper ways to purchase healthy food.

Discount stores. Warehouse or club stores like Costco offer great bargains for seasonal produce, and foods such as chicken and cheese. To avoid waste, freeze large portions in smaller, more manageable sizes. Search out Farmers' Markets. Many places host weekly farmers' markets where local farmers sell fresh food directly, often cheaper than the grocery store.

Towards the end of the market, some vendors sell remaining perishable items at a discount. Join a CSA community supported agriculture group. A CSA is a great way to have local, seasonal food delivered directly from a farmer.

Buying clubs can also help make grocery shopping a more social experience. Ethnic markets and corner stores are worth looking into. Many feature an impressive, affordable selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as other products.

Online retailers. There are plenty of websites available that offer grocery deliveries—which can save you plenty of time and in some cases also money. Some online retailers offer discounted rates over traditional grocery stores while others such as Thrive Market in the U.

also focus on healthy, non-processed foods. Always factor in any delivery charges or membership fees when comparing prices.

Shop the perimeter of the store first. Eat a healthy snack before shopping. Take advantage of sales. If you have the shelf or freezer space, stock up on staples or products that you use often when they go on sale. Be smart about coupons.

Your body relies on protein for many of its functions. Affording some meat and fish sources of protein, though, can put a real strain on your food budget. By making a few dietary adjustments, you can save money and still enjoy plenty of protein in your diet.

Purchase less expensive cuts of meat by comparing the price per pound on different options. Try using chicken thighs rather than breasts, or stewing beef rather than a prime cut of steak to make tasty casseroles, soups, stews, and stir-fries.

Bulk out meat dishes with other ingredients. Add rice, pasta, fresh or frozen vegetables, beans, or whole grains to meat to make delicious, filling meals. Combine ground meat with black beans in tacos, for example, add whole grains to meatloaf, or add lots of veggies to a chicken stir fry.

Experiment with vegetarian sources of protein. Unprocessed veggie proteins, such as soy, tofu, beans, and lentils, can be tasty, easy to prepare, and inexpensive. Eggs are not just for breakfast.

Veggie omelets and frittatas, for example, make quick and healthy meals that are high in protein and low in cost. Add a side of rice, beans, or salad for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Enjoy probiotics. Non-dairy probiotic foods include sauerkraut, vegetables that have been pickled in brine rather than vinegar, miso soup, and tempeh. Use canned fish or chicken as a healthy, inexpensive option for things like sandwiches, enchiladas, casseroles, and salads. Preparing large portions of food to use over multiple meals can save you time and energy as well as money.

Cook once and eat multiple times. Cook a large meal at the beginning of the week so that you have extra to use later in the week when you don't feel like cooking.

One-pot dishes , such as soups, stews, or casseroles, save on preparation time, money, and dishwashing. Freeze leftovers or re-use them for lunch. For a cheap and nutritious breakfast, cook one pot of oatmeal and heat up a serving each morning; vary it by adding fruit, nuts, or seeds.

Instead of throwing away leftovers or forgetting about them at the back of the fridge, get creative and use them to make new meals. Soups, stews, or stir-fries.

Create a base with broth or a sauce, or by sautéing onion or garlic, then add any leftovers you have. A small amount of meat is perfect to add flavor and substance. You can also experiment with herbs and spices to create unique flavors.

Everything burritos. Most leftovers make very tasty burritos. Simply put everything into a tortilla shell try to get whole grain with a little cheese or salsa and enjoy. Experiment with combinations. You may be surprised how many foods with different flavors go well together.

For example, try making a large green salad and adding cooked whole grains and veggies on the top, as well as pieces of meat from another meal. If you live in a dorm, bachelor apartment, hotel room, or other type of housing without a full kitchen, you may have limited space to store perishables and leftovers and minimal kitchen equipment for cooking your own meals.

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Most of us crave sweets from time to time.

But instead of expensive, processed desserts packed with sugar, such as cakes, cookies, and muffins, there are healthier ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.

If you don't have a Popsicle tray, use an ice-cube tray with plastic spoons as handles. Home-baked items. Oatmeal cookies with rolled oats are a good example of a healthier, home-baked dessert. Try reducing the amount of sugar any recipe calls for—many desserts taste just as good.

Buy a large container of plain yogurt and make each serving unique by adding seasonal fruit. Frozen treats. Try freezing grapes or berries or cutting bananas or peaches into pieces and then freezing. For an amazing dessert pour dark chocolate sauce over the fruit.

Dark chocolate. Many of us have chocolate cravings—and dark chocolate is actually quite high in antioxidants. Eat Well Guide or Local Harvest. How focusing on the experience of eating can improve your diet.

This diet can help fight heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and more. How choosing healthier carbs can improve your health and waistline. BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy. Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist.

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Another money saving tip for getting healthy groceries is to shop for produce that keeps well. This helps reduce your food waste and since you have to buy your food, it reduces your money waste as well.

Some produce that keeps well includes: onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, apples and oranges. You can also chop and freeze fresh fruits and vegetables to delay them from spoiling. Frozen and canned vegetables can be healthy too.

Just be sure to check the labels for added ingredients, like extra sugar and salt that can sabotage your healthy plans. Look through the newspaper, go online or check your mailbox before you go shopping to see if there are coupons for any of the products you need.

Some stores may have mobile apps too. Lunch Try this versatile idea for lunch or dinner next time you are planning weekly meals:. Mix all ingredients together. Enjoy with crackers, as a sandwich, in a lettuce wrap or a tortilla wrap.

Dinner This light and comforting five ingredient casserole is perfect for chilly nights at home with your family this winter.

You can also try this dish with cream of mushroom soup and substitute mushrooms instead of chicken for a vegetarian option. Preheat the oven to degrees F. Coat a 3 quart or 13×9 dish with cooking spray. In a bowl, mix all ingredients together.

Spoon into the baking dish. Top with crumbled crackers and drizzle melted butter over the crackers. Place in the oven and bake for minutes. Dessert These sweet and savory baked apples are perfect to make for you and your family or to take with you to a holiday party.

Try it with Fuji, Pink Lady or Rome apples — all of which are in season in fall and winter. Grease baking dish with the butter or spray with cooking oil. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Repeat until there are no more apples and sugar mixture is used up. Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Pour water over apples, mix and continue baking until tender, about 15 minutes. Snacks For a light and protein packed snack bar, try this no-bake four ingredient recipe:.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Line a pan, preferably 8×8, with parchment paper. Press the oat mixture into the pan.

Wallet-friendly food alternatives - Missing A weekly meal plan can help you create a master grocery list. Prioritize food dollars for vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean protein and Apples. Bananas. Beans. Brown rice. Chicken. Corn tortillas. Eggs. Flour. Frozen blueberries. Frozen vegetables. Ground beef or ground chuck Healthy eating doesn't have to break your budget. Try these budget and wallet friendly grocery store tips and recipes

Look at the price per unit at the bottom of the price tag. For example, a ounce cereal box will likely cost less than a ounce box. Yet, the price per unit may be less for the larger size. If your budget allows, you may save money in the long run by purchasing the larger box.

Diets high in meat are often expensive. You can save money by planning meals with plant-based ingredients like tofu and beans. These alternative protein sources are often cheaper but still maintain high nutritional value. Check out tips for eating more whole plant-based foods. Add simple ingredients to turn a wallet-friendly meal into a nutritious and hearty meal.

For example, add vegetables broccoli, onion, carrot and protein hard-boiled eggs, tofu, chicken to instant noodle packets. Or add frozen berries or a cut-up banana to your cereal or granola for extra nutrition and flavor.

If you live with roommates, you can agree to share specific items or meals to avoid duplicating costs. For example, you can share kitchen staples like butter, milk or coffee. As part of your meal plan, you can each cook dinner one night per week and split the cost of the food.

Just ensure everyone is comfortable sharing and stays within the agreed-to budget. You can substitute the items you typically purchase for more affordable versions. Here are a few examples that can help you save. The Basic Needs Center BNC helps connect students to essential resources, including access to nutritional and culturally relevant foods.

The Buff Pantry is available to current students and welcomes clients once weekly to receive an average of 20 pounds of food per visit.

The Buff Pantry has a variety of items available, including produce, pantry staples, refrigerated and frozen goods, and personal care items. The BNC hosts free mobile food pantries for CU Boulder students, faculty and staff, and community members of Boulder and Broomfield counties.

Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, the BNC hosts many events centered around various topics, such as sports nutrition and stress management. Try this when deciding between fresh or frozen items such as broccoli, regular or family-size boxes of cereals, and single-serving or large containers of yogurt.

Local, seasonal produce is at its peak flavor and is more readily available for a lower price, Thornton says.

If the produce item you want is not in season, consider getting frozen fruits and vegetables. They usually have the same nutritional quality, but check the labels for added sugars or salt. For more wallet-friendly ways to eat good food visit www. Facebook Instagram Twitter.

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your username. your password. Password recovery. Prioritize your food dollars for nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean protein and whole grains.

Prepare meals that include similar ingredients throughout the week to cut down on the amount of food you have to purchase.

Skip highly processed items and packaged snack foods, which can be very expensive. Instead, prepare some healthy snacks ahead of time to use throughout the week. When planning your meals for the week, look for fresh produce, lean meats and low-fat dairy items on sale that week.

Check sale fliers and available coupons for additional savings. You also can compare national brands with store labels for the lowest prices. They usually have the same nutritional quality, but check the labels for added sugars or salt.

You can prepare two or more meals at one time and enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week. Meat often is the most expensive ingredient in a recipe, so planning a meatless meal several times each week can also reduce your bill significantly.

You can even prepare dried beans, peas and lentils ahead of time and then freeze them so you have fiber- and protein-rich foods on hand at all times. Americans throw away more than 38 million tons of food every year, according to a EPA study. Make the most of your food spending by cutting down on waste.

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