Eating Healthy On A Budget
Image thanks to The Consumerist
It’s one of the most common excuses that people have for not eating healthier – they think that it will cost too much.
Honestly, I thought the exact same thing the first time I wandered the aisles at my local Whole Foods.
Going there felt a lot like to an art gallery…everything looked absolutely amazing, but didn’t seem like something I could afford to take home with me.
The thing is, times have changed. Not only are there natural grocers of a smaller scale who tend to be a lot more wallet friendly, but also most of the regular grocery stores are stocking more and more healthy items so that they can keep up with the demand of healthy eaters.
This (plus a few tips) makes it entirely possible to eat healthy even when you’re on a tight budget.
Don’t believe me? Here’s how…
Make a List:
Okay, so this one doesn’t just apply to healthy food, but it is always the best way to shop. Before you hit the store, figure out what you are going to eat for the week, research recipes, make a list of ingredients and write it down. Then all you have to do is check things off as you shop. This helps to streamline your trip, keep you focused, and will help to keep you away from browsing and the possible temptation that the junk food aisles have to offer.
Get Your Produce:
The easiest way to eat healthy is to add in more fruits and vegetables to your diet and take out processed foods. The great thing about this? Produce is usually affordable, and stores will always be running specials. Another option is buying a bag or two of frozen veggies to have on hand. These are almost as good as fresh, and won’t go to waste if you don’t use them up right away.
Consider Bulk:
Oatmeal, quinoa, lentils, dried fruit, and so much more can now be bought from bulk bins in a number of stores. This allows you to buy only the amount that you need, and at a hefty savings from the pre-packaged stuff.
Skip the Meat:
I don’t mean that you need to go completely vegetarian, but try making meatless meals a few times each week. Things like beans and lentils are chock full of protein and a lot less expensive than meat. Love Mexican food? Try making black bean burritos. Want a hearty soup? Lentils can be used to beef it up (so to speak). And it doesn’t just have to be that – what about a tomato and basil panini, or a vegetable pizza – the list goes on and on.
For more tips on how to stretch a dollar at the grocery store, check out this site:
http://www.ewg.org/goodfood/