There is a common myth that leading a healthier lifestyle has to be super expensive and not budget friendly. Let’s face it, the supermarkets don’t help by adding fuel to the fire with their heavily discounted junk food and snacks. These are perfectly fine as part of a balanced lifestyle, however, it does annoy me when I see a packet of crisps cheaper than a pack of apples, making eating well seem less accessible to many.
Of course, if everything in your shopping trolley is labelled organic or piled high with exotic superfood powders, things are bound to become expensive. For me, protein powders, maca powder, lucuma powder and all the rest of it do have a place in a healthy lifestyle – I think they’re great and use them myself. Nevertheless, I don’t necessarily think that they’re essential to lead a happy and healthy life but are added extras to give you a boost.
Simply eating good well-balanced food that includes all the food groups is enough. This should include all the foods that you enjoy, including chocolate, pizza and cupcakes – life would be a chore without them! Yes, organic grass-fed meat and dairy are better as it’s more natural and hasn’t been enhanced in any way but it’s not going to suit everybody’s budget. The wellness brigade with their shiny halos shouldn’t feel more superior because their kitchens are stocked full of the stuff. It’s just the reality of life that these types of foods are higher priced and people have other more important priorities. I tend to stick to buying organic meat and dairy when the budget allows or when it’s on offer, but realise it’s OK when I can’t afford to do so.
Again, I stress that you don’t need these fancy food stuff to live well and feel great, which is why I’m sharing some budget- friendly store cupboard ingredients that you can add to your every day to make it that bit healthier.
Turmeric
I’ve really made a massive push recently to include more turmeric into my every day eating. This golden-yellow powder has many incredible medicinal and healing properties that are great for your healthy and wellbeing. Since it’s such a nutritional powerhouse, it’s well worth trying to get your dose of turmeric and one of the easiest ways increase your turmeric intake is to blend it into your smoothies – try my Turmeric & Coconut Smoothie, it’s one of my favourites!
Nuts
Such a simple food but full of so much healthy goodness. Nut are especially high in lots of healthy fats and protein to help nourish your body. They make a great snack for when the hungry monster comes calling. Almonds, pistachios and pecans are my personal favourites that I like to add to a homemade trail mix or granola.
Seeds
I do think seeds are often overlooked and viewed as bird food. You can buy a large mixed bag of seeds relatively cheaply and it lasts for ages. Like nuts, they’re full of healthy oils, protein and high in fibre. They’re great as a topping on smoothies, yoghurt, porridge and stir fries.
Maple Syrup
Rather than adding caster sugar to my food and baked goods I like to use natural alternatives because they keep my blood sugar more stable and are less processed. Maple syrup is one of my favourite sugar alternatives and I always look out for real maple syrup as opposed to the flavoured ones. Some maple syrup brands can be pricey, but you can pick up some great cheaper versions in the supermarket.
Nut Butters
I’m a nut butter addict, what can I say! There are so many varieties on the market these days and they can even be picked up in your local supermarkets instead of independent health food shops. Great as a snack with veggies and fruit, on toast, in smoothies or straight up from the jar.
Dried Fruits
Another budget-friendly way to sweeten up your food is with dried fruits instead of using refined sugar. A little goes a long way so a big bag of mixed dried fruits or raisins will last a while so they’re a great addition to your healthy store cupboard set up.
Tinned Oily Fish
Full of gorgeous healthy fats and oils, fish is incredibly good for you and a nice lighter alternative to meat. Fresh fish can be a little pricey, so I think it’s well worth picking up some tins of mackerel, salmon and tuna when they’re on offer to add to meals like salads and pasta bakes.
Chopped Tinned Tomatoes
The humble tinned tomato is one of those ingredients that I use so much in my cooking. Their healthy star component, lycopene is better absorbed by the body when heated especially during cooking. They are also a fantastic source of vitamins K, E and C.
Dried Legumes, Wholegrains & Pulses
Keeping a well-stocked store cupboard should include a nice selection of dried pulses, legumes and wholegrains. You get more bang for your buck if you buy them dried instead of pre-prepared, just cook up a batch when you need them. High in fibre and protein, they’re great for bulking out meals or as a less processed meat alternative. Watch this space, I have a recipe coming up on the blog using red lentils soon!
Dried Fruits is a budget friendly way of sweetening the food.
They’re really budget friendly!
I always keep lots of spices in my store cupboard- a great way to make a cheap homemade meal tasty. We also make sure we have some tinned veggies (tomatoes/sweetcorn etc) in the cupboard as they are always useful for cooking from scratch.
You can’t go wrong with a well stocked spice rack to make food more exciting.
Great selection of store cupboard staples there. Agreed that you can cook and eat well and healthily without spending a fortune.
Absolutely! Although I like to dabble in the expensive superfood powders etc. they’re definitely not necessary.
Such a great post! Luckily I’m stocked up on pretty much all of these on the list xx
Thank you, Sarah!
We have quite a few of these ingredients in our cupboards already. You always need some essentials on standby!
So true, the essentials male for a good food cupboard.
Great list — we always have tins of passata and dried pasta in the cupboard as well. The best things for rustling up a quick meal if you don’t have a lot in!!
I love eating nuts and dried fruit when I fancy a sweet snack. You can actually get dried fruits and seeds etc quite cheap now in places like Aldi and Lidl
Great post.
I do think that with healthy eating you have to choose your battles wisely if you don’t want to spend ridiculous amounts. For example, I try and buy organic vegetables – but not for everything. I get the organic ones that seem to matter the most rather than everything. I also buy a lot of frozen vegetables so I don’t waste them and get the most nutritionally out of them. Tinned fish is a big yes as well! Such a great way to get that essential omeganess (a real word….) in. And turmeric is my best friend when I’m running!
Great list!
We always have a stash of mayple syrup in the cupboard – oh and plenty of tinned tomatoes too – we use them in just about everything.
Tinned tomatoes are so versatile aren’t they. We use them a lot too.
Dried fruits are my favorite. A friend of my makes her own (you have to check it out here… http://www.itsyummy.ooo) and because i really love them I don’t mind paying for the price that she’s asking. Fruits and stuff like that are very expensive here on the island, meaning organic products in the supermarket are sky high. So, yeah, it’s a expensive lifestyle to maintain. The only way to keep it cheaper is to grow your own stuff (and for me that’s not happening as even a cactus can die on me). Great post though 🙂
That’s so cool that your friend makes her own dried fruit. I bet she saves a fortune!
My cupbaord is always stocked with spices and I always have peanut butter and maple syrup in as well
Sounds like you have everything covered. Love maple syrup!
Tinned tomatoes are SUCH a staple in my cupboard, so good for making so many things!
I totally agree, love them!
great tips! i have all of these staples actually.. such a variety and you can always find something to cook with!
I hear you on the nut butter addiction – I’ve yet to find one I don’t like!
Hehe! I’m the same.
Lots of great tips here! We buy our nuts in bulk from the vegetarian supermarket, so we save lots of money there.
This is such a great tip! Buying in bulk definitely helps.
Eating healthier doesn’t have to be more expensive, you’re right! I always have a load of spices and things in my cupboard as they really add a kick to things x
I think a well-stocked spice cupboard is a must. You can make just about anything then.
I totally agree with you – eating well is only expensive if you let it be. I love a almond butter 🙂
Absolutely! Almond butter is a favourite of mine too!
I have some of these in my cupboard and always have tin tomatoes and tuna too for those emergency meals x
You can’t go wrong when you have tinned tomatoes in your cupboard!
these are all great to have in. Maple syrup is my thing. We get it in bulk from costco!
I have hardly any of these items stocked in my house – I need to get on that x
Book marked this post straight away as I’m buying a house this year hopefully and really want to stock my cupboards with great ingredients that don’t cost the earth! xxx
I totally agree eating healthy does not have to blow the budget and it is not all about high cost super foods. I live maple syrup and always have some in my cupboard to put on pancakes – I’ll have to experiment with using it as a sugar alternative.
I think I have most of all in my cupboard. I would like to buy more nuts and dried fruits though as I don’t think I have much of them. They can be a great snack option. I really need to start thinking to get more healthy food. Thanks for this list, x
This is a really helpful post. I’m at uni and sometimes it’s so much easier and cheaper to just opt for more unhealthier options, but I’m definitely going to stock up on a few of these things and attempt to be healthier this year!
I am also a nut butter lover and whilst it is an acquired taste, I am trying to use it more and more x
Great post. I think I have everything there and more, yaaaaaaayyyyy. Looks like I’m covered 😉
What a fabulous set of things to have in the store cupboard – thanks for sharing 🙂
I always make sure I have tinned tomatoes stocked up! I feel like if I have them and a fully stocked herb & spice rack I can make any sort of sauce x
This is a great post, I think price is what puts a lot of people off when going on a health kick!
I think the best way to eat healthy is to eat simple. Fruit, veg, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains. I love adding ‘superfood’ powders and things like chia seeds to smoothies and desserts sometimes but as you mentioned they’re not necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy living is expensive compared to not but worth it in the end of course! Great list. 🙂
I don’t think healthy eating has to be expensive at all. Of course, if you’re buying organic everything and expensive superfood powders it will be, but they’re not necessary.
I am so bad when it comes to being healthy and I have to admit I’ve used the it’s too expensive excuse before. I do love dried fruit though, must pick some up on the next shop
Such a helpful post I have most of these already but there are a few I need to stock up on Thankyou! xxx
I love maple syrup and nut butters! I also love buying dates and adding them to my desserts instead of sweetening with sugar