Eating Healthy on a Budget

We live in a world today where being healthy can be pricey. It is unfortunate, but it is the reality of the world we live in. There are more and more things in our environment affecting our health, causing us to either be unhealthy or have to spend and do more to be healthy. 

As a health coach, I never want money to keep anyone from living a healthy life. I know the impact stressors and the environment have on our health and always want to help women find ways they can make changes to be healthy and live their best life. 

One thing that I know can be costly is eating healthy. While I do not have a solution to that problem, I do want to share just a few money-saving tips when it comes to eating healthy on a budget. 

As you know, consuming mostly whole foods is the best way to fuel our bodies. Not only for reaching goals but also for the nutrients and energy our body needs.

When it comes to whole foods, there are certainly better options than others. Organic is always best, but I know that is not always reality. And it is more important to choose whole foods if they are not organic than going for processed “healthy” foods. 

Here are 5 tips on ways to help cut the cost of your monthly food bills:

1. Plan your meals around what you buy. This may seem a little backward, but trust me, it helps. Instead of sitting down at home and planning your meals for the week and then shopping, do the reverse. Make a “loose” list of types of things you need, such as 3 veggies, 2 fruits, 1 starch, 3 lbs of protein, etc. Then go to the grocery store and buy in those categories based on what is on sale that week. If blueberries are on sale and raspberries aren’t, go for blueberries. If chicken breasts are on sale but not tenderloins, go breasts. If shrimp is on sale, but salmon is not, go for shrimp. Get the idea? If you plan and then shop, you will find yourself buying things not on sale and spending a lot more than needed. Be flexible! 
2. Shop twice a week. When we go one day a week and load up, we often waste more. Especially if you are always on the go and find yourself running through the drive-thru, or meeting up with friends on a whim. Whole foods do not last as long. If you let them sit, they will go bad and waste that money and food. 
3. Shop your fridge and pantry. Take inventory before going to the store. Get creative and see what you can make with what you have. Make adjustments to recipes or meal ideas based on what you already have and need to use before it goes bad. 
4. Don’t shop when hungry or distracted! Trust me, this helps. When we are hungry, we buy more than we need and things that are quick and convenient. You pay more for convenience! When distracted, you most likely pay less attention to details like the quantity and price. 
5. Don’t be lazy! By this I mean don’t buy precut veggies, pre-marinated meat, premade meals, etc. If that is what you need and can afford, fine. But if working on a budget, be willing to do the work. If you do want to opt for easier fruits and veggies, consider buying frozen. That is a great option for ease and buying in larger quantities. 

Everyone is different, so the important thing is to do what is best for you. These are just a few tips to cut down the grocery bill while still loading up on healthy foods. 

I hope this helps you budget better so you can have more energy, feel stronger, and live a healthy lifestyle without adding stress around money.