10 Tips to Stopping your Excuses on Why You Can’t Eat Healthier
One of the biggest concerns I hear is that “healthy eating is too expensive”, and there is no way “I could buy those healthy foods on my income”.
Well that’s why I’m coming at you today with TEN Eating healthy on a budget tips. There is a misconception that healthy food must be expensive. Sure, if you eat at Whole Foods salad bar for lunch every day or shop at specialty health food stores or buy all things organic then yes, it gets expensive quick! But you can also shop healthy, the smart way!
Here are the top ten healthy shopping on a budget tips to help you create your healthy cheap meals!
1. Look for Fruits and Vegetables That Are in Season
All produce has different “seasons” where they will be cheaper. Apples will be cheaper in winter, whereas mangos and avocados will be cheaper in summer!
2. Seasonal Produce
Summer: tomato, cucumber, zucchini, pepper, basil, beans, corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, grape, peach, plum, cherry, strawberry, blueberry
Fall: winter squash, cauliflower, sweet potato, pomegranate, apples, pumpkin
Winter: greens, beet, leek, sweet potato, cabbage, kiwi, grapefruit, orange, apples, pears
Spring: radish, spinach, lettuce, cilantro, asparagus, peas, broccoli
3. Fresh vs. Frozen
Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are just as healthy as fresh produce, and can be good when on a budget or buying for one. Sometimes frozen fruits have even MORE nutrients then fresh produce because of being picked in their ripest stage versus the fresh being picked premature to be shipped without getting bruised!
4. Substitute Meat for High Protein Options
Such as black beans, chickpeas, and eggs.
Meat tends to be much more expensive then plant proteins!
Breakfast for dinner anyone?
5. Don’t Fall for the Healthy World’s Newest Craze
You know that new product out on the market that promises this or that? Or that newest “superfood” that will give you so many benefits? You can skip it and do just fine without it! Instead of buying those overpriced “superfoods”, you can get in all the superfoods you need with cheaper options like kale, pumpkin, turkey, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and others!
6. Buy Store Brands
Shopping at Stop and Shop, try the Stop and Shop and Nature’s Promise brand. Costco? Try the Kirkland brand! Walmart? Try the Great Value brand! Whole Foods? Try the 365 brand!
7. Buy in Bulk When on Sale
Look for items on sale or that are BOGO, and then stock up if it’s something you know you’ll use continuously!
Good items to do this with are packaged foods like crackers, pantry items like peanut butter or oats, or frozen/canned produce that will last awhile.
Have on your weekly dinner menu a chicken dish but then get to the store and see the pork loin is on sale? Switch it up and go for the sale item!
8. Keep it Simple
Don’t be lazy and buy the “pre-washed” or “pre-cut” varieties; buy the whole fruits and vegetables and cut them up yourself! They may be convenient, but they are also experience!
Ex: Whole carrots are much cheaper than the baby carrots, same goes for the baby bell peppers or pre-cut summer squash.
9. Eat Out as Little As Possible
Meal prepping is Key to not only staying healthy but sticking to your budget! Eating healthy options while going out all the time adds up, and certainly will drain that bank account. Try to become better about packing your lunches and bringing them with you to class/work!
10. Coupons
It may seem like a tedious job at times, but looking out for coupons and saving them can save you a TON of money!
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