Whether you have one child or seven, one thing parents have to think about constantly is what to feed their family. “What’s for dinner?” is the eternal question in every home. We as parents not only have to think about what to put on the table that our kids will actually eat, but we also want to feed our families the healthiest options possible while saving as much money as possible. 

Believe me when I tell you I’ve been there!

I didn’t just have to do this for my family on a weekly basis; I had six to eight other children to feed each week. And, my State Licensing Department limited me to serving any one particular food no more than two times per week. Yes, I was only allowed to serve chicken twice a week – no matter how it was prepared. Eggs, twice a week. Beef, twice a week. You get the point. 

Thankfully, most of you aren’t dealing with that situation, so I’ll keep these tips based on a typical household. 

Here are 7 tips for feeding your family healthy foods on a budget:

1. Buy frozen meats and veggies in bulk and divide into baggies. Freezer bags or food-saver sealing bags will be your best friend for saving money. Be sure to portion out the meats and veggies separately to avoid cross contamination and label the bags with the contents and the date. You can even go ahead and label the bag what meal you plan to make with each food. 
2. Go meatless one to two days per week. There are lots of ways to fix vegetables and fruits without needing a meat. Casseroles, hot pockets, pot pies, soups, and salads are a few examples. Make the meals colorful, appealing, and tasty…and your family won’t even miss the meat. As well, you can substitute beans for meat. Toss veggies with noodles, rice, couscous, or other pastas. (whole grain or brown is best)
3. Avoid white (enriched flour) pastas and breads. Opt instead for quinioa, brown rice, wild rice, sweet potatoes, and other whole grains. These are rich in fiber and don’t turn to sugar as easily in the body. 
4. Invest in a crockpot or InstantPot to save time and money. These devices allow you to set it and “somewhat” forget it while you do other things. I don’t recommend leaving any appliance on while you’re not at home, but if you’re around to be able to keep an eye out for kitchen fires, these are great time-saving tools. I personally love my InstantPot. I can even throw frozen meat in there for stews and soups, and even frozen meatloafs, and it comes out super tender and flavorful. 
5. Substitute ground turkey or beans for ground beef, or mix in half of each, when possible. This cuts fat and adds protein. 
6. Explore various ways to prepare veggies to make them the star of the meal. Examples: broiled, roasted, boiled, sauteed, raw, fried, baked with parmesan cheese, in soups, tossed in pastas or rice, and more. As well, some veggies can do double duty as pasta/rice-type of side dishes. Example: cauliflower can become a substitute for mashed potatoes or rice, depending on how you prepare it. 
7. Serve a salad before each meal. Skip the Iceburg lettuce – it contains no nutritional value. Incorporate leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula. Also, save money by making your own salad dressings. This way you control the sugar, sodium, and fat. 

I just provided 7 simple ways to feed your family healthy meals on a budget. There are many other things you can do, but hopefully this list got your wheels turning.

Don’t forget to plan out your meals and write down your grocery list, then stick to that list when you shop. 

What are some of your favorite healthy, budget-friendly meals?