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Healthy Eating on a Budget – Affordable Nutrition Options in the UAE

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Fresh, affordable, and nourishing—healthy eating in the UAE doesn’t have to be expensive.

In today’s fast-paced world, eating healthy is no longer optional—it’s essential. Especially in the UAE, where busy lifestyles and fast food temptations are common, maintaining good nutrition can significantly improve your quality of life. The good news? Eating healthy doesn’t mean spending a fortune, even in a region known for luxury.

Whether you’re a student in Sharjah, an expat in Dubai, a busy parent in Abu Dhabi, or an entrepreneur in Ajman, this guide is for you. You’ll find practical and affordable ways to nourish your body and mind—without draining your wallet.

Go Local – Natural + Affordable = Healthy Meals on a Budget

Local and regional food options can be both nutritious and budget-friendly. Visit community markets or co-ops for fresher, more affordable produce. Here are some budget-friendly staples available across the UAE:

Brown rice

Brown rice

  • Brown or basmati rice – A high-fiber, healthy carbohydrate option.
  • Lentils and chickpeas – Common in Middle Eastern dishes, they’re protein-rich and very affordable.
  • Sweet potatoes and oats – Great sources of complex carbohydrates.
  • Dates – Rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants; locally abundant and cost-effective.

Buying local produce when it’s in season saves money and ensures you get food at its nutritional peak.

Vegetables in Season = Save More + Eat Fresh

Some of the most affordable and nutritious vegetables in the UAE include:

Cabbages

Cabbages

  • Cabbage, carrots, spinach, and eggplant – Often sold in bundles at better rates in local souqs or hypermarkets.
  • Okra and zucchini – Used in traditional Emirati and South Asian dishes and packed with fiber and vitamins.

Pro Tip: Bulk buy when in season and preserve by refrigerating, blanching, or using them in stews and stir-fries.

Protein Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

Think beyond beef or chicken! Here are budget-friendly protein options found in the UAE:

Eggs

Eggs

  • Eggs – Always affordable and nutrient-dense.
  • Tuna and sardines (canned or fresh) – Packed with protein and omega-3s.
  • Falafel or hummus – Local favorites rich in protein and fiber.
  • Lentil soup (Shorbat Adas) – A comforting, affordable and protein-rich option.

Frozen options are also cheaper and have a long shelf life without compromising nutrition.

Fruits on a Budget

Fruits

Fruits

Instead of imported berries, go for budget-friendly fruits that are easily accessible in UAE markets:

  • Bananas – Energy-packed and budget-friendly.
  • Apples and oranges – Affordable sources of fiber and Vitamin C.
  • Watermelons and melons – Especially affordable in summer and excellent for hydration.
  • Dates and papayas – Great for digestion and full of nutrients.

Shop Smart and Plan Ahead

Planning is key to staying on a budget and eating well. Here are tips to make it work:

  • Create a weekly meal plan to reduce impulse buying.
  • Cook in bulk—soups, stews, or rice dishes can last for days.
  • Shop at night markets or discount grocery stores like Union Coop, Viva, or Lulu.
  • Avoid processed snacks and fast foods; they’re usually more expensive and less nutritious.

Hydrate Right + Affordable Superfoods

Water is still your best friend, but other local options include:

  • Zobo-like hibiscus tea – Rich in antioxidants.
Karak chai

Karak chai

  • Karak chai (without sugar) – For a healthier, spiced tea fix.
  • Homemade fruit juices or infused waters – Refreshing and chemical-free.

And don’t forget UAE-available superfoods like:

Moringa powder, turmeric, ginger, and garlic – Affordable, natural immunity boosters.

Conclusion:

Eating healthy in the UAE doesn’t require fancy diets or imported food trends. It’s about making smart, conscious choices—buying local, planning ahead, and embracing the abundance of nutrient-rich foods already around you. With the right strategies, you can enjoy a wholesome lifestyle without overspending.

ALSO SEE: 4 Vitamin Supplements for Skin Glow 

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Ancient Herbal Teas That Are Good for Your Liver  

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Turmeric Tea
Revitalize your liver naturally with these 5 powerful herbal teas. Sip your way to better digestion, detox, and overall wellness!

Be honest, when was the last time you thought about your liver? We usually talk about skincare, workouts, and our diet. But the liver? It’s always gets left out of the conversation.

And yet, it is working round-the-clock: cleaning out toxins, helping with digestion, and even balancing your hormones.

So today, we are going to show our liver some love, the easy way. Just by sipping the right teas.

In this article, we’d be discussing 5 herbal teas that people have used for ages, and they still work like magic.

Milk Thistle Tea

Milk thistle tea

Milk Thistle Tea

Let’s start with the legend when it comes to liver health. This one is a big deal and has been used for the past 2,000 years. Milk thistle is packed with silymarin which helps clean out the liver and even repairs it.

If you’ve been taking meds, drinking, or feeling bloated and tired, try this tea. It’s the detox you need!

How to use: Add a teaspoon of crushed milk thistle seeds in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink once or twice a day.

Taste tip: It has a nutty taste so you might want to add honey or mint.

Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion Root Tea

This is not just a backyard weed! This tea is really good when it comes to flushing out your liver. It helps your body break down fat and keeps your digestion smooth.

If you tend to feel heavy or puffy after meals, Dandelion root is your go-to!

How to use: Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried root in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Strain and sip while warm.

Taste tip: It’s earthy and a little bitter so you might want to add lemon or cinnamon depending on your taste.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric isn’t just for cooking. It plays an incredible role in your liver health. It helps reduce inflammation and keeps your liver running smoothly. If you’re always feeling bloated or tired, then you shouldn’t sleep on this one!

How to use: Boil a cup of water with ½ teaspoon turmeric, a pinch of black pepper (so your body can absorb the tea), and you can sprinkle in cinnamon or ginger if you want. Cook low and slow for 10 minutes and add some honey to taste.

Taste tip: Warm, spicy, cozy.

 Licorice Root Tea

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice Root Tea

If you feel down or crave sugar a lot, then you should try licorice tea. It helps clean up your liver and it supports your adrenals (the part of you that helps with energy and stress.)

How to use: Simmer 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root in hot water for 5–10 mins. Sip slowly.

Taste tip: It’s sweet on its own. So you might not need to add sugar.

Side note: If you have high blood pressure, you might want to check in with your doctor before making this a regular habit or part of your routine.

Schisandra Berry Tea

Schisandra Berry Tea

Schisandra Berry Tea

This one might not be so popular, but it is one of those herbal teas that should be hyped a lot. These little berries are great for the liver but they also help with your energy levels, skin health, and brain fog.

How to use: Slowly cook 1 tablespoon of dried berries in 2 cups of water for 15–20 minutes. Strain and sip.

Taste tip: It is a burst of different flavours: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter all in one! But it is extremely beneficial for your liver health.

Conclusion

Your liver is doing a lot of work. And thankfully, you don’t need a fancy detox or expensive juice to take care of it. Just add one of these teas into your week, one cup a day and your body will feel the difference.

Clearer skin? Better digestion? Less bloating? Yes, these are signs that your liver is healthy.

Try a few of them, find your preferred one, and keep sipping. Your body (and future self) will be so glad you did!

ALSO SEE: Dubai Launches World’s First AI Chef

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Top 5 Yoga Studios in Dubai for Inner Peace and Flexibility

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In a city renowned for its fast pace, luxury, and innovation, the need for balance is more essential than ever.

Amid deadlines, high-rise living, and the ever-present buzz of ambition, many are turning to yoga not simply as a form of exercise—but as a deliberate practice of self-alignment, focus, and restoration.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional navigating high-stakes industries, or a wellness enthusiast striving for daily balance, it offers a growing collection of yoga spaces that blend global expertise with calming environments.

These studios don’t just deliver flexibility or fitness—they offer an invitation to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Here are five standout yoga studios  where serenity, discipline, and strength come together to support your body and mind.

1. SEVA Experience

SEVA is not just a yoga studio—it’s a complete wellness sanctuary. Tucked within a lush garden and intentionally free of digital distractions, SEVA offers a quiet retreat from the fast pace of city life.

With a focus on traditional yoga, meditation, and holistic healing, the studio offers classes like Kundalini, Yin, and Breathwork that invite deep restoration.

Their plant-based café also offers nourishing meals and juices, creating a space for both physical and mental well-being.

It’s well Recommended for mindfulness practitioners, beginners, and anyone seeking emotional clarity.

2. Zen Yoga

Zen Yoga is thoughtfully located in three of our most esteemed areas—Media City, Emirates Hills, and Umm Suqeim—making it easily accessible for those seeking balance and wellness in the heart of the city.

Zen Yoga has built a solid reputation as one of the most consistent and community-centered yoga spaces.

With multiple branches and an inclusive atmosphere, it caters to all levels—offering classes in Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Prenatal Yoga, and more.

Each location features highly experienced instructors and a warm, welcoming environment—perfect for professionals looking for a reliable routine that fits a busy lifestyle.

Zen Yoga

3. Yoga La Vie

Yoga La Vie is perfectly situated at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah—offering a serene, upscale setting where elegance meets wellness by the sea.

Combining the grace of movement with scenic beauty, Yoga La Vie is known for its boutique, beachfront experience. Its offerings include yoga, barre, and Pilates, with a focus on posture, tone, and feminine strength.

Set against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf, classes here are designed to be both energizing and restorative—ideal for those who seek a mindful escape without leaving the city.

It’s Recommended for professionals and creatives looking for high-quality instruction in a refined setting

Yoga La Vie

4. Dryp

Located in Al Wasl

Dryp is a go-to destination for hot yoga and high-intensity flow classes. If your idea of stress relief includes a good sweat and powerful movement, this studio delivers.

Heated Vinyasa, Sculpt Yoga, and fusion fitness classes are led by dynamic instructors who blend challenge with encouragement.

With a strong community of fitness-minded individuals, Dryp is ideal for those seeking both transformation and motivation.

Highly Recommended for hot yoga enthusiasts, goal-driven individuals, and athletes in recovery.

5. Nilaya House

Nilaya House is a haven for serious yogis and those looking to immerse themselves in the traditional philosophies of yoga.

The studio offers Mysore-style Ashtanga, Iyengar, Pranayama, and guided meditation classes, with a curriculum rooted in lineage and alignment.

With a minimalist, peaceful atmosphere and an emphasis on breath and technique, Nilaya House is where yoga becomes a lifestyle—not just a class.

Nilaya House

Conclusion

Dubai’s yoga studios offer more than physical fitness—they provide intentional spaces to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect.

Whether you’re seeking peace after a demanding day, strength to support your goals, or clarity amid the noise, the right yoga studio can be your anchor.

Investing in your inner well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy for long-term health, resilience, and focus.

Read next post: Dubai Launches World’s First AI Chef

 

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Eat these Omega 3 Superfoods to Help You Live Longer and Stronger

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Do you want to live a longer and healthier life? It’s not just enough to look good; but to also gain confidence knowing you are living a healthy life as well.

One of the best ways to do that is to stay committed to eating Omega-3-rich foods. These contain nutrients that are essential for improving the heart, reduce inflammation and support brain function.

Here are top 3 Omega food that are accessible and affordable

Sardines: These are small oily fish mostly packaged in a tin. They contain a high level of DHA and EPA giving support to bone density and to the overall health of the heart.

Walnuts: Walnuts have a rough brown or black shell. Encased in it is a white edible nut which is rich in Omega 3 fatty acid and antioxidants. These nutrients promote brain health and lower cholesterol.

Anchovies: These are tiny fish and similar to sardines. They are rich in Omega 3 and support overall health.

Benefits of Omega-3s

  1. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases
  2. Omega-3s support brain health and function.
  3. Omega-3s support heart health and help lower reduces blood pressure.

Here are a few ways to incorporate these Superfoods into your diet 

  • Enjoy sardines in your sandwich or salad.
  • Sprinkle walnuts on yoghurt.
  • Add grilled or baked salmon to your weekly food plan.

Beyond their health benefits, Omega-3 foods add rich flavor and mouthfeel to your meals, making healthy eating feel enjoyable and exciting.

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