Most of you know how integral fruits and vegetables are to your overall health. The compounds in fruits and vegetables work to enhance immune function, improve heart health, decrease inflammation, etc. As readily available as this information is, people choose to purchase and eat unhealthier food options in an attempt to save money. 

In reality, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to boost your fruit and vegetable intake. Eating healthy foods does not have to break the bank. Rather than harming your health with convenient fast food that you think will save you money, you can do your body a favor and nourish it with higher-quality foods. Learn how to do that on a budget in this article. 

Shop At Your Local Market Or Farmer’s Market

Depending on your location, a farmer’s market may not be the most convenient place to shop. Additionally, it can be expensive if you live in a city San Francisco, New York City, or Los Angeles. Most local farmer’s markets, though, sell seasonal produce at more affordable prices than regular grocery stores. When you shop directly from the farmers, you skip the middleman, tending to result in lower prices. Lastly, you get access to the freshest in-season produce, which is usually more flavorful. 

Shop Seasonally

Speaking of in-season produce, buy the fruits and vegetables that are in season, which can translate to significantly lower costs. For example, purchase melons and berries in the summer, apples and parsnips in the fall, squash in the winter, and asparagus in the spring. Knowing which produce items are in season will help you save on your grocery bill. You can always research a growing calendar in your area, or consider asking your local grocery store staff to understand which produce items are in season. 

Don’t Be Afraid Of Frozen Fruits And Vegetables

Frozen fruits and vegetables are valuable, especially if you are trying to eat healthy on a budget. Not only can they be just as nutritious as fresh fruits and vegetables, but they can also be equally as nutritious. Since they are typically cut or prepared in a specific way, they are convenient and easy to handle. Plus, you can store them in your freezer until you need them. Just make sure that you avoid added ingredients when buying frozen fruits and vegetables. You should not see salt, sugar, or sauces on the ingredients list because those ingredients detract from the health benefits. They also indicate extra additives. Frozen peas, spinach, broccoli, mixed vegetables, berries, and other fruit are excellent options that are quite versatile. 

Plan Your Meals And Create A List

There is nothing worse for your budget than heading into a grocery store without a list. You just buy what you think you need, as opposed to stocking up on what you actually need, and what is actually healthy for you. By planning your meals ahead of time, you can make a shopping list that includes every ingredient you will need to make those meals. That reduces the likelihood of food waste and impulse buying. A list of necessary items will help you avoid the unnecessary things that will typically spoil in the fridge. 

Properly Store Your Fruits And Vegetables

If you store your produce properly, you can maximize the shelf life and minimize food waste. Some produce needs to be stored on the countertop, while other produce requires refrigeration. Herbs, for example, should be stored in a jar of water with stems in the fridge to encourage a longer shelf life. Don’t store apples near bananas because the gases they emit can quicken the ripening process of both fruits. Buying in bulk? Consider freezing excess produce to extend the shelf life, but make sure to use airtight bags or containers to prevent moisture buildup.

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When it comes to succeeding on the raw vegan diet, you can’t simply eat salad every night. Well, that’s not entirely true because some people can eat the same thing every night. We, and many other people, love diversity in our cuisines and our meals. That’s why we recommend experimenting with multiple raw vegan entrees such as these mixed vegetable wraps. Rather than combining a bunch of salad ingredients in a bowl, you can roll them up in cleanse approved wraps!

The raw vegan diet continues to grow in popularity, so a number of health food brands keep producing raw vegan snacks, beverages, and more. One great option for raw vegans is the raw coconut wrap. You do have to be selective with the coconut wraps you purchase because not all of them are raw. We recommend the organic coconut wraps from Thrive Market, which only consist of organic coconut meat, organic coconut water, and organic extra virgin coconut oil. Amazing, right?

What would wraps be without an excellent dipping sauce? Nothing, is the correct answer. The dipping sauce is the icing on the cake, the banana in the smoothie, the pesto on the zoodles; you get the picture. The sauce is the boss and reigns supreme in the wrap game. Now, all you have to do is roll up those veggies and start dippin’!

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Anybody can spiral some zucchini into noodles and throw them on a plate, but nobody wants that blandness. You want to elevate those zoodles from basic to fantastic, and you only a few ingredients to make them shine. Zucchini noodles are the closest you’ll get to eating pasta during your raw vegan diet, and they don’t disappoint if you dress them properly. That’s why this recipe calls for a refreshing cilantro pesto, which packs a ton of flavor and even more nutrients. Top everything off with some halved cherry tomatoes and sliced mini sweet peppers and you’ve got yourself an amazing entree. The only thing left to do after that is dive in with a fork, twirl it round, and eat until you feel full. Don’t be shy, folks! The time to make this recipe is now!

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It’s good to eat a variety of colorful dishes. An assortment of different colored veggies means that you are getting a variety of antioxidants and phytonutrients. You’ll love these Collard Wraps because they help you control your portions and keep you full at the same time!

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The best salads contain an assortment of different colored vegetables because they supply different phytonutrients and antioxidants. Dressed in a spicy Thai-inspired citrus dressing, this salad is herbaceous and absolutely divine. You can always make the dressing by itself because it’s just that good!

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It’s good to eat a variety of colorful dishes. An assortment of different colored veggies means that you are getting a variety of antioxidants and phytonutrients. You’ll love these wraps because they help you control your portions and keep you full at the same time!

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The vegetable spiralizer is one of the best kitchen tools because it makes ordinary food fun and interesting.

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You can’t go wrong with a quesadillas…you just can’t. This recipe is all about the freshest ingredients, which is why we encourage you to head to your local farmer’s market to select the necessary produce items. A local grocery store will suffice, but the farmers provide the freshest, and often organic, produce for less than what grocery stores charge. Support your local farmers!

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