Healthy and Inexpensive Lunch Ideas

Everyone is looking for ways to save money these days. Fortunately, eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. The key is to plan ahead and pack your own lunch instead of buying prepackaged versions. Leftover chopped veggies and canned beans can be combined with eggs, cheese, and a whole-grain tortilla for an inexpensive but healthy meal. Reducing your food costs also means switching from expensive bottled salad dressing to a cheaper option like vinegar or lemon juice and oil. Inexpensive condiments like mustard, honey, hot sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper can be used in many different ways to add flavor to foods that are not only economical but also healthy. Here are some great ideas for packing your own lunch that won’t bust the budget:

Beans

Beans are cheap and healthy, as well as versatile. You can add them to salads, eat them as a side, or just add them to a piece of bread as a sandwich filling. You can also mash them up with some vegetables and spices to make a vegetarian chili or a baked bean casserole. Beans are high in fiber, protein, iron, and Vitamin B. They are also low in fat and are a very sustainable source of food, as you can grow them yourself if you have the space.

Eggs

Eggs are another inexpensive and nutritious food that you can use in a variety of ways. You can eat them in various forms for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or even as a snack. Scrambled or boiled eggs are a quick and simple meal, and you can also fry or bake them in many ways to change the flavor. Eggs are high in protein, B vitamins, and Vitamin A, but they are also high in cholesterol. You can eat more eggs without raising your cholesterol level if you consume only two yolks per week.

Cheese

Cheese is high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, so you shouldn’t eat it every day. However, it is an inexpensive and tasty lunch ingredient. You can eat it as a snack with some crackers, or put it on a salad or baked potato. You can also add cheese to baked beans, pasta, or chopped up veggies. If you are on a low-fat diet, you can choose low-fat varieties like cottage cheese or ricotta cheese.

Whole grain bread or tortillas

Whole wheat or rye bread can be used to make a sandwich. It is a healthier option than white bread. You can also use it to make a wrap or pita, or stuff it with some vegetables. If you are gluten-free, you can choose corn tortillas. They are also a healthy option compared to refined flour tortillas, which are high in sugar. You can make your own tortillas at home. They are cheaper than buying them at the store, and you can use them in lots of different ways.

Lunch Meat Options

Regular ham, turkey, and other lunch meat is usually high in fat, sodium, and other chemicals. You can buy organic versions of these products, which are usually better for you. You can also make your own lunch meat at home with a slow cooker. Just add some ham or other meat with water, vinegar, and herbs like thyme, and put it on a low setting. You can also add in some vegetables like carrots, peppers, or potatoes.

Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetables and fruits are healthy, nutritious, and cheap. You can eat them raw, or you can steam or stew them to make a soup or side dish. Vegetable and fruit soups are also an inexpensive and healthy option for lunch, but you can also freeze the rest of the soup for another meal. You can also make your own salads with a variety of ingredients. Just chop up some vegetables, add a dressing, and top it off with some chopped nuts or seeds to make it more nutritious. You can also make your own fruit salad with low-sugar or no-sugar added jam.

Conclusion

Food is a necessity and not an option. Eating healthy can be expensive, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to afford the diet that you need. Remember that it is much cheaper to eat healthy than to visit the doctor. Keep these healthy and inexpensive lunch ideas in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to eating well on a tight budget.