Eating healthy on a budget can be really challenging. It isn't easy to stick to a healthy diet, and it certainly doesn't help that food prices, especially for fresh produce, have gone up so much in the last couple of years. I've actually been working pretty hard at eating healthier these days - I have quit eating candy, drinking pop, and replacing meals with junk food like chips or chocolate. It has not been an easy change; in fact, it's taken about four months for my body to stop feeling like crap without the sugar! I'm shocked by that, to be honest. I figured it was going to take a few days but it has been much longer. Now that I'm over that hump I feel great, probably the best I've felt in my life. But -- it isn't easy, and it isn't easy to do when you're on a budget, either.
It isn't impossible, though. I have some hints to help you out, some new recipes I'll be posting, and some tips on price-booking when I get the chance. The first thing to know about eating healthy on a budget is that you save money but sacrifice TIME for the savings. So while you can buy precut peppers and veggies to save time in the kitchen, you will pay for convenience. This is true of most things, in fact. Expect to spend about double your time in the kitchen as you start eating healthier for less money. If you're an avid cook, or a frugalista already, then you may not end up spending too much more time in the kitchen after all. If you're a chronic pizza parent, donut for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch type person, then your time is going to dramatically increase. You have the time!! Don't think you don't, even though the extra food prep time in the kitchen may feel like a burden as you start eating healthy. You are worth this extra time!
If kitchen time feels too much like a burden, then by all means spend the extra money if it means you will actually eat the fruits and vegetables you need. Change is challenging, so do what you can to make that transition easier at first.
