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Want to eat healthy and save money?

Start by cooking more at home, because it hits two birds with one stone. Home cooked meals are both more nutritious and more affordable than getting takeout or eating in restaurants.

According to Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst from DealNews, there are several simple steps you can take to eat (and buy) healthier ingredients when you’re on a budget, too. Here are her top recommendations:

Stock up on cheaper protein

In addition to adding some variety into your diet, cheaper protein sources offer you a chance to be creative with your meals.

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a healthy option, but if you opt for a whole chicken instead, it’s both cheaper and gives you more cuts to work with.

And if you want more than meat, dried beans and lentils are excellent sources of protein and an easy way to bulk up soups and other dishes without spending more.

While you’re at it, make eggs part of your regular grocery list. They make a great addition to salads, healthy snacks and easy dinners.

Buy healthy staples in bulk

Warehouse clubs are a great way to stock up on canned goods, dry goods and frozen produce — and having a solid stock of shelf-stable items at home means you’ll always have healthy options on hand.

“If you need to buy healthy grains in bulk, stores like Whole Foods and Earth Fare are great options,” Ramhold said. “Though other items there might be pricey, their bulk bins tend to be comparably priced.” Also, Amazon is a smart place to order items in bulk online.

Plan your meals in advance

Meal planning makes healthy eating (and eating in general) significantly easier.

Start by formulating a menu to turn to during the week. A clear plan of action (shopping list included) makes grocery shopping and cooking at home a lot easier, so you’ll rely on fast food and takeout less.

Specialty food stores (and aisles)

Ethnic markets and aisles are great places to find ingredients that other stores might not carry, but it goes far beyond that.

“Spices can be ridiculously expensive for a small amount, but by buying packages and bottles at specialty food stores, you’ll get way more bang for your buck,” Ramhold said. “They’re also an excellent place to shop for pantry staples in bigger sizes, like rice and beans, and often stock delicious produce at super-affordable prices.

Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at realsimple.com.

© 2022 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.