7 Ways to Save Money on Healthy FoodGood nutrition is the key to a healthy mind and body—and it doesn't have to be expensive. Here are expert tips on how to have a healthy diet on a budget.By Hiranmayi SrinivasanAugust 13, 2021

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Contrary to what you may have heard, eating healthy doesn't have to be really expensive. A 2013 meta-analysis of 27 existing studies by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that healthiest diets only cost $1.50 more per day than the least healthy ones.

"Healthy food doesn't have to be more expensive," Heather Adams, a Seattle-based meditation and wellness teacher and writer, tells Health. "Fruits and vegetables that aren't pre-cut can fill a bowl and a belly cheaper than a lot of processed foods."

The $1.50 extra may not be a huge difference, but the numbers can definitely add up for those facing food insecurity. Accessibility to healthy foods remains an obstacle for many low-income families. A USDA study released in June found that 88% of individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), experienced difficulty accessing a healthy diet. The most common reason—reported by 62% of the participants—was the cost of healthy food.

While greater access to nutritional food for everyone is the goal, here is how you can cut costs and eat healthy on a budget.

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Cook at home

One of the main ways to eat healthier and save money is to cook at home. Instead of going out to buy pre-made healthy food from stores, get the ingredients and make them yourself. If making entire meals is not your thing, or you don't have the time, a nutritious and cost-effective alternative is to make your own healthy food staples, like salad dressing or granola.