* We sometimes use affiliate links, so we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Check our disclosure for more info.
Not sure how to eat Clean on a budget? I feel ya!
When I first started to Eat Clean, a big consideration was our budget. Or lack of it. I’d believed the hype that Clean eating was super expensive and eating fast, convenient, pre-made food was cheaper, and it worried me a bit that we didn’t have a big enough grocery budget to properly eat Clean.
And you know what? Some convenience foods are cheaper. There, I said it, there are some foods that you’re going to pay less for when you buy them pre-made. Like…biscuits! At the start, I tried to recreate lots of our old favorites, and those ingredients sure add up. And Organic meat. Have you seen the price? It’s crazy.
But…..and it’s a biggie, I hadn’t really got my head around changing the way I thought about food, and honestly, when I did, Clean eating became cheaper, and we actually saved quite a lot on our food bills.
I no longer try and recreate fancy biscuits (okay, very occasionally I do, I love a pretty biscuit!) and we include lots of meals that aren’t meat heavy so I can buy happy meat for the recipes I make that are meat based. We’re healthier, happier and spend less on groceries. Honestly :)
How to start eating Clean on a budget
When you’re starting out Clean eating, or have been Clean eating for while but need to cut back on your grocery bill, you’ve got to get smart about it. The best tip I could give you? Plan plan plan. Then plan some more.
It’s so hard to start eating Clean on a budget if you’ve not planned your week and don’t have limitless cash! Here’s a few things I learned along the way that massively helped bring our food bill way down when we started this. And I still stick by them today!
- Meal plan – Plan out your breakfasts, lunch (+packed lunches) dinners and snacks
- Make your meals stretch – There’s lots of ways to make one meal stretch into two (without two times the cost!), one for tonight and one re-created with the leftovers into another meal
- Left overs – Tonights dinner: tomorrows lunch!
- Buy bulk – Bigger packs often mean lower prices. Freeze where you can, and then remember to keep a freezer inventory so you know include it in future meal plans. Use my Inventory list here!
- Eat in season – Wherever you are in the world, some foods will be in season and therefore cheaper, and some won’t and are expensive as they have to be imported. Eat seasonally. It’s cheaper!
Eating Clean on a budget {FREE Grocery List}
Ohhhh the times I went shopping not only hungry but without a list! It never worked out well. Food stores spend a lot of money designing them so you’re tempted by…everything, and it works! Everything looks like a ‘good idea’, or you end up thinking you’ll use ‘that’ or something looks like a bargain at a knocked down price and so you buy two. Then never use them. I’ve been there, done it. Doesn’t work.
Instead…use a grocery list. Taking a bit of time now to make your list based on your meal plan is going to save you a ton of time in the week. No more last minute trips to to store because you’ve got everything for dinner except one thing you really need (and we all know one thing in a shop really means 10 things in the basket!).
No more! Grocery lists are a moms best friend when you’ve trying to eat Clean on a budget, and I happen to have some FREE (yay!) printables for you so you can organise and plan better.
This meal planning tool kit is the BEST(and FREE!)
What’s included in the Toolkit:
- Meal Planning Template
- Grocery Shopping Template
- Challenge Tracker
- Healthy Habit Tracker
- Healthy Snack List
- Activity Planner
- Family Schedule
- 30 Day Challenge Worksheet
Healthy meals on a tight budget
Can you make healthy meals on a tight budget? YES! A tight budget simply means better planning. Ok, so the reality is you might not be able to be eating Organic happy meat 3 times a day over 7 days, but can you eat healthy meals? You sure can!
Here’s a small collection of my recipes to get you started. They’re not only budget friendly but they’re fast. And fast’s good when you’re Clean eating with a family. Ask any Mom……
Clean eating budget breakfasts
If you’re someone who loves getting the family to start the day with a good breakfast, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This is a selection of some awesome Clean eating breakfasts that are easy to make and stay well within budget!
Clean eating budget lunches
Doesn’t matter if you’re eating lunch at home or packing it up to take to school or work, planning ahead and getting some of these recipes in the fridge so they’re good to go when times short during the week help you stay on the Clean eating track.
Clean eating budget dinners
I know, after a long day at work/out with the kids/fill in the gap, the last thing you feel like doing is slaving away in the kitchen cooking a meal. So don’t! These dinner recipes can be on the table fast, they’re Clean and better yet, the kids LOVE them!
Clean eating budget snacks
I really like to snack. So do my kids. Quite a lot :)
I’m a bit of a grazer and like to have some nibbles during the day, so these Clean snacks hit the spot when I want something. The kids love an after school snack and having these to hand is just…easy.
Clean eating 7 day meal plan on a budget
Just starting out Clean eating? Already Clean eating but need some ideas and motivation? Pressing re-start and having a meal plan to stick to can be a massive help.
Start The 7 Day Clean Eating Meal Plan Challenge Here To Get Started!
