Fresh, filling, and budget-friendly—these affordable salad ideas prove that eating healthy this January doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. 🥗✨
January always feels like a reset month. After all the lechon, ham, cakes, and late-night munching in December, parang sabay-sabay tayong nagsasabi ng “Okay, bawi tayo this January.” But let’s be honest—healthy eating often gets tagged as mahal, lalo na when you see salads priced at ₱300–₱400 outside.
Good news, mommy (and daddy, and everyone trying to eat better): you can enjoy filling, satisfying salads under ₱200—and yes, pwede pa ring masarap at nakakabusog.
Here are my go-to affordable salad ideas for January, perfect for light dinners, packed lunches, or days when you want to feel a little less guilty without starving yourself.
1. Mango Kani Salad (Under ₱180)
Let’s start with a favorite — my Mango Kani Salad 🥭🦀
This one is proof that salads don’t have to be boring or “diet food.”
Why it works:
- Sweet ripe mangoes balance the savory kani
- Creamy dressing makes it satisfying
- Light but filling enough for dinner
Estimated cost:
- Kani sticks: ₱90
- Mango: ₱40–₱50
- Lettuce or cabbage: ₱30
- Dressing ingredients: ₱10–₱15
✨ Perfect for days when you want something fresh but comforting.
2. Chicken Caesar Salad (Budget Version) – ₱150–₱180
Hindi kailangang restaurant-level para masarap.
This budget Caesar salad uses simple ingredients but still hits the spot.
What to use:
- Grilled or pan-fried chicken breast
- Romaine or iceberg lettuce
- Toasted bread cubes instead of fancy croutons
- Homemade mayo-based Caesar dressing
Mom tip:
Leftover roast chicken? Mas lalong tipid—and mas masarap pa.
3. Tuna Corn Salad (₱120–₱140)
This is a classic budget salad that never fails.
Why moms love this:
- Canned tuna = affordable protein
- Corn adds sweetness and volume
- Super quick to make
Add lettuce or even repolyo, a little mayo, calamansi, salt, and pepper—and done.
Perfect for WFH lunches or midnight “I want to eat healthy” moments.
4. Egg & Potato Salad (₱130–₱160)
If you want something mas nakakabusog, this one’s for you.
Why it works:
- Eggs = cheap, filling protein
- Potatoes keep you full longer
- Great alternative to rice-heavy meals
Boiled eggs, diced potatoes, a light mayo-mustard dressing, and a bit of onion—simple but satisfying.
5. Asian Cucumber Salad with Tofu (₱100–₱150)
Presko, light, and perfect after heavy holiday food.
What makes it good:
- Crunchy cucumbers
- Pan-fried tofu for protein
- Soy-sesame-calamansi dressing
This is a great side salad or light dinner when you’re not super hungry but still want something nutritious.
Why Salads Are a Smart January Choice
Aside from being lighter, salads:
- Help control portions after the holidays
- Are easy to customize based on what’s in your fridge
- Let you save money by skipping expensive takeout
Eating healthy doesn’t mean giving up flavor—or spending more. With a little planning, ₱200 is more than enough to put together a meal that feels fresh, filling, and guilt-free.
January is not about perfection — it’s about small, realistic changes.
If swapping one ulam meal a day with a salad helps you feel better, lighter, and more energized, that’s already a win.
And yes, you can still enjoy food — kahit healthy pa yan 😉
