Tips For Affordable, Healthy Eating!
You can eat healthy without spending a lot of money. The trick is to know how to go about it. Below are several tips on how to eat healthily and affordably. You don’t have to spend a lot of time looking for cheap, healthy foods. Some initial investment in knowing where and how to look will get you set up and into a routine.
- Avoid Eating Out: Eating out is the most expensive way to eat. Until recently, it was also the least healthy way of eating. That’s changed in recent years with far more healthy restaurant options. However, if you want to save money and eat healthy foods, your best option is to cook at home. With a little bit of research, you will find it’s much easier than you think. Start with these websites for some good recipe ideas:
- Never Shop When Hungry: The rule of thumb for food shopping! Plus, I’m pretty sure this one has been proven in studies! Never shop when you’re hungry. You’ll be sure to buy more than you need or should! You’ll also be more likely to blow your budget.
- Look for Deals: Look for sales on healthy foods and use grocery store loyalty cards (not the same as store credit cards). Sign up to receive specials from your favorite markets or grocery stores and use their loyalty cards for further discounts. You can save a lot of money. Adjust your purchases or ingredients according to their specials. Usually, you can substitute ingredients and still maintain a healthy recipe.
- Look for In-house Sales: Always look for in-house, last-minute deals. For example, as fresh foods get close to the “sell-by” date, they tend to go on sale. Just be certain to use the food before it expires or freeze it.
- Use Cheaper Cuts: Consider using cheaper protein options or less expensive cuts. For example, chicken breasts can be costly, but chicken thighs sometimes cost half as much! The same goes for fish; look for the cheaper fish. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean less healthy.
- Avoid Name-Brands: You often can substitute name-brand foods or ingredients and save a lot. Many major grocery store chains have their own high-quality brands. You might have to try a few generic brands before you land on one you like, but it can be worth the effort and time. Remember that many generic brands are produced by the big brand companies.
- Shop local: Food traveling greater distances goes up in price. Shopping local can sometimes help you save money. Check out your local shops for savings. They need to compete with larger chains and often will offer lower prices to attract customers.
- Shop Farmers’ Markets: This one can sometimes save you money – but not always. However, there is something to be said about shopping local and supporting local farmers. Get to know the sellers at your local farmers’ market. You might pay a little bit more at times, but you’ll be getting fresh, high quality while helping out small, local businesses.
- Use a List when Shopping: If you want to stay to a healthy recipe (and a budget), write up a shopping list ahead of time and stick to when you’re food shopping.