6 cheap ways to stay healthy on a budget

When you ask someone about their New Year’s resolution, chances are many will have healthy eating and fitness at the top of their agenda. Apparently 1 in 7 of us are now members of a gym and 47% of 18-34s have changed their eating habits towards a healthier diet.

“But what if I’m a student on a tight budget?” you ask. Well a healthy lifestyle doesn’t always have to put a strain on your pockets. Here are six top tips on how you could stay healthy without breaking the bank…

Our 6 tips

• Cook from scratch. Cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out. Generally, you could make three meals at home for the same price as buying food for one at a restaurant. By cooking yourself, you also gain the benefit of knowing exactly what’s in your food. Try cooking for the entire week on a weekend #MealPrep. If you’re struggling for inspiration, there are great healthy tutorials on YouTube and Instagram that can help you get started.
• Buy frozen fruits and veggies. While you can find some great deals on in-season greens at the grocery store, buying frozen fruit and vegetables in bulk can help you save a whole load. It’s also a great way to reduce the risk of smelly gone-off fruit.
• Buy whole foods. Wholegrains like brown rice, wheat or oats provide a variety of nutrients and fibre and are often less expensive than their processed counterparts as you get more per serving. Here are some simple swaps to try in your diet.
• Switch to water. You’d be surprised how much money you could save by cutting out sugary drinks from your diet. You could get a two litre bottle of water for the same price as a can of coke. You can even just take advantage of the free stuff out the tap! It might not be the most exciting thing in the world but your body will think you in return.
• Find a no frills gym. Rather than paying £50+ a month for a luxury club, you may well find a cheaper alternative How often do you use that sauna anyway?!
• Explore alternatives. If joining a basic gym isn’t an option for you, there are still other ways you can work out for less, or even for free! You could sign up to fitness classes at a neighbourhood recreational centre, join a local sports club or even find an outdoor community gym. There are hundreds of home workout videos out there for you to try too.

Keep in touch

So, there you have it. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can be achieved on a budget by simply making small changes to your weekly routine and smarter choices when food shopping. Tell us how you’re keeping your New Year’s healthy resolution while making the most of your money on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.