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This is a guest post by Mehdi, author of StrongLifts.com. If you enjoy this post, check out his site.

Eating healthy is important.

Eating healthy:

Lowers disease risks

Increases productivity

Gives you more energy

Makes you stronger

You probably think eating healthy is expensive. I'll be honest — it is. But there are tricks to spare your savings account and keep it low cost. Here are sixteen ways to eat more healthy while keeping it cheap.

What is Healthy Food? Before we start, let's define healthy food. It consists of:

Protein. The building blocks of muscles, needed for strength.

Fat. A balanced intake of omega 3, 6 & 9.

Veggies. All kinds, especially green fibrous veggies.

Fruit. Full of vitamins.

Water. 1 liter per 1000 calories you expend.

Whole grain food. Oats, rice, pasta, breads, …

On with the tips.

1. Switch to Water. I drank huge amounts of soda daily for more than 15 years. Then I started Strength Training and switched to water:

It's healthier

It's cheaper

Quit the soda & drink water. Take a bottle wherever you go.

2. Consume Tap Water. Check the price of water on your tap water bill. Now check the price of bottled water. Quit a difference, isn't it? So why are you buying bottled water?

Cleaner? Not necessarily.

Better taste? No, simply a matter of Adaptation.

Bottled water companies get their supply from the same source you do: municipal water systems. It's like selling ice to Eskimos. If you don't trust the quality of tap water, filter it yourself. I use a Brita Pitcher. One $7 filter cleans 40 gallons water.

3. Eat Eggs. I always have eggs at breakfast:

Full of vitamins

High in proteins

Low in price

Don't believe the Eggs & Cholesterol myth. Dietary cholesterol is not bound to blood cholesterol. Want to make it cheaper? Buy a chicken.

4. Eat Fatty Meats. Fatty meats are cheaper & more tasty than lean meats. You think it's not healthy? Check the Fat Myths:

Fat doesn't make you fat, excess calories do

You need a balanced intake of fats: omega 3, 6 & 9

I'm on the Anabolic Diet, I buy beef chuck instead of sirloin.

5. Get Whey. The cheapest source of protein. 70$ for a 10lbs bag lasting 4 months. Nothing beats that. Use whey in your Post Workout Shake to help recovery.

6. Tuna Cans. Canned tuna is cheap & contains as much protein as meat. Alternate tuna with eggs, meat & whey. You'll easily get to your daily amount of protein.

7. Buy Frozen Veggies. I mostly buy frozen veggies:

Take less time to prepare

You don't waste money if not eaten in time

Can be bought in bulk for discounts & stored in your freezer

If you can afford fresh veggies, then do it. I go frozen.

8. Use a Multivitamin. Pesticides lower the vitamin levels of your fruits & veggies. Two solutions:

Buy organic food. Expensive.

Use a multivitamin. $10 a month.

Choose what fits your wallet best. I take the multivitamin.

9. Fish Oil. Omega-3 is found in fish oil. Benefits of omega-3 consumption include:

Lowered cholesterol levels

Decreased body fat

Reduced inflammation

You need to eat fatty fish 3 times a week to get these benefits. Time consuming & expensive, I know. Try Carlson‘s Liquid Fish Oil with Lemon flavor. One teaspoon daily. You'll be ok.

10. Buy Generic Food. The box might be less attractive, it's certainly more attractive to your wallet. Brand-name food will always be more expensive. You're paying for the name. Get real. Food is food. Go generic.

11. Buy in Bulk. Think long-term. Buying in bulk is more expensive at the cashier, but cheaper in the long run:

Gets you discounts

Saves time

Saves car fuel

Invest in a big freezer. Buy meats & veggies in bulk and freeze them.

12. Go to One Grocery Store. This grocery store is cheaper for meat, that grocery store is cheaper for veggies, the other grocery store is cheaper for fish… How many grocery stores are you going to, trying to find the cheapest food? Think!

Time is money. Stop losing a day shopping.

Cars don't run on water. Lower your fuel expenses.

I get all my food in a big grocery store near my place. It hasn't the cheapest price for all foods, but it saves me time & fuel.

13. Make a Plan. A classic, but worth repeating. Everything starts with a plan.

Make a list of what you need

Eat a solid meal, don't go hungry

Go the grocery, get what's on your list & get out

No need to take your partner or kids with you. This is not a recreational activity. Just get your food & get back home.