“Cooking more at home will save you lots of money, and lots of calories, sodium, and added sugar,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, and member of our medical expert board. “Considerable research has found that home-cooked meals tend to be more nutritious than those we get when dining out.”
“Replacing meat with plant proteins is another way to save money and improve health,” says Young. “Substituting red meat for chickpeas, lentils, nuts, and seeds a few times a week is a great way to save money and eat healthy. Plant protein sources are inexpensive, easy to prepare, and offer a lot in the way of nutrition. And a bonus, you’ll get fiber which you would not get in meat.”