Want to know how to meal prep on a budget? No worries, we can help! Cutting down on your restaurant outings and choosing to meal prep can help you regain your good eating habits. You can also cut down on your food shopping bills if done effectively.
Planning even just one daily meal at home every week and a couple of pre-prepared lunches can save you thousands every single year. Meal prepping doesn’t have to be the expensive and time-consuming thing that people think it is. It can actually be more of a time saver and make your life easier.
What You Need to Know to Meal Prep on a Budget
Many people think that meal prepping has to be full of beans and rice. However, this could not at all be further from the truth. There are many delicious meals that you can enjoy and make every week. Even if you’re in need of financial assistance, you can still eat well.
Thanks to the internet, there are hundreds of recipes and ideas just a Google search away. Check out these cheap, quick and easy dinner recipes and these amazing lunch prep meals on a budget.
1. Plan Meals Around Items on Sale
Instead of just following your cravings when meal prepping, try to plan your meals around items on sale. Check out the weekly special brochures offered by Coles and Woolworths to see what you can buy cheap to meal prep on a budget. Choosing meals that have ingredients on sale will save you lots of money. If possible, also try to do the bulk of your shopping at a cheaper supermarket, such as Aldi.
You should always check your fridge, freezer, and pantry to see what items you already have. By focusing on ingredients that exist in your home already, you’ll be able to get creative with your meal prep ideas. This will also help you reduce your food waste.
2. Work Grains into Your Meal Prep Ideas
Grains such as quinoa, brown rice, barley, and bulgur are extremely high in fibre and make great bases for meals. By planning ahead, you can add these to your meals. Not only are they delicious, but they are very good for you.
This will also lower the cost of your food per serving. You can also receive essential minerals and vitamins in your meals. This will help you remain healthy on a budget. To meal prep on a budget, you need to still make sure you’re getting what you need.
3. Keep Ingredients Simple
Meal prep on a budget does involve being able to plan meals. You need to consider meals that don’t have ingredients that are rare or hard to find. Instead, try to keep your ingredients as simple as possible.
While some ingredients might make your mouth water, the ingredients may be hard to find and cost you a lot of money. Instead, opt for cheaper options. One very helpful idea is to limit your ideas to recipes that have less than five ingredients.
This will make it far easier to meal prep on a budget. When your ingredients are kept simple, you can enjoy meal prepping instead of becoming confused. As people say, the simpler, the better.
4. Invest in Reusable Meal Containers
Sure, it might sound odd to purchase containers just for your meal prep on a budget. However, it can help you better create new habits. It allows you to cook one big batch and separate it into multiple different meals without having to keep it in one massive container.
You will also find it far easier to grab your meals and go every day. It will stop you from having to bring your lunch and meal prep it there or forget it in the morning. Instead, portion and package your meals straight after cooking.
Then you have no excuse to not meal prep on a budget and enjoy your meals. These containers will help you stay on track and enjoy your meal-prepping efforts.
5. Use the Same Ingredients
As you switch between weeks, you will likely want to change up all of your meal prep ideas. However, instead of changing up your grocery list and starting from scratch every single week, it could be a good idea to find recipes that have similar base ingredients.
This will allow you to save money and stay on track with ease. You will also be eating things that you already know that you like. This can make life easier and ensure you can eat all your meals.
Enjoy Your Meal Prep on a Budget
Now, all you need to do is get started and enjoy your meal prep on a budget. This will allow you to put your health first while saving time and making your life easier. These hot tips will ensure that you can enjoy your meal prepping to the fullest extent.
If you would like help with your budgeting efforts, get in touch with our friendly and professional team here at Just Budget.
Check out our Free Online Budget Calculator. It breaks down all of your expenses so you can determine how much money you have left over each week to spend. You’ll also be able to see how much you could be saving each week if you do decide to meal prep on a budget.
