11 Brilliant Tips For Eating Healthy On A Budget

Being healthy and saving money — they aren’t mutually exclusive. And neither are car insurance and saving money. GEICO knows. It's what they do.

1. Buy fresh produce when it’s in season!

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And if you have an abundance, you can freeze or jar your favorites. For a larger list of fruits and veggies in season, click here.

2. Learn what veggies last the longest in the your fridge.

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Don't you hate it when you have to throw away fresh produce? Worry not with these long-lasting vegetables.

3. Leftover vegetable scraps? You can regrow some of them!

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Some vegetables only require you to stick their roots in a jar of water. See these scallions here!

Other vegetables that are easy to regrow: basil, celery, and lettuce.

4. You can also keep the vegetables you grew fresh by storing them correctly!

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For example, celery should be wrapped in foil.

5. White vinegar can help fresh berries last longer.

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Vinegar helps kill the spores and bacteria on the fruit. Learn the technique here.

6. And something even easier? Buy frozen fruits and vegetables for maximum shelf life.

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It's best to buy frozen foods with the marking "USDA U.S. Fancy," as those are of the highest quality.

7. Buying a whole chicken is more cost effective than buying individual wings, thighs, etc.

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Melissa Doroquez / CC BY-SA 2.0 / flic.kr

And with that whole chicken, you can make stock from scratch! Homemade chicken stock often has less cholesterol and sodium than store brands. And if you made too much broth? Easy. Freeze the extra into ice cube trays for simple portions.

8. Eggs are affordable, delicious, and full of protein.

Courtesy of BudgetBytes.com / budgetbytes.com

Courtesy of BudgetBytes.com / budgetbytes.com

Courtesy of BudgetBytes.com / budgetbytes.com

An average egg has seven grams of protein! And who says you can't eat eggs for dinner? There are so many delicious ways to enjoy them that you won't get bored.

9. Plan your meals in advance! Apps are super helpful for that.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/id403188971?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/app/id403188971?mt=8

You’ll save so much money at the grocery store if you plan ahead.

Pepperplate helps you manage recipes, plan meals, and make shoppings lists.

10. Bookmark your favorite blogs and recipes for healthy, affordable meals.

Courtesy of BudgetBytes.com / budgetbytes.com

Two great places for budget-friendly recipes are Cheap Recipe Blog — whose motto is "Cooking cheaply, eating well" — and Budget Bytes, which details exactly how much each recipe and serving costs.

11. And do not underestimate the value of drinking plain water!

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That's right: water! It's essential for your health. The American Heart Association says, "Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently." So keep on hydrating.

Start the countdown to a healthier you!

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