Whenever people think about healthy eating, the image that comes to mind is the high cost of organics. Many people today are missing out on eating well because they don't know that it's possible to do so daily without going broke.
However, we have several tips that could help you save money and enjoy healthy food without stress.
Nine ways to eat healthy on a budget
1 PLAN YOUR MEALS WELL
Poor planning prevents many people from eating healthy. They buy groceries in small bits, thus spend more money. But with a proper plan, it is possible to consume green, healthy vegetables daily. Prepare well, buy in bulk, and cook your meals over the weekend and store them in the freezer.
The same applies to cereals. Cook them over the weekend. Once they cool down, put them in the fridge and eat them slowly throughout the week. You only need to defrost them before cooking, and if you have a pressure cooker, preparing your meals becomes cheaper and faster.
2 MAKE A GROCERY LIST
You're likely to spend more money if you're eating on the fly or shopping on an empty stomach. Beat this by coming up with a detailed, healthy grocery list which you should stick to every week. Use your meal plan to develop a thorough grocery list. Apart from helping you eat and combine healthy foods, this list will ensure you only buy what you need.
3 AVOID WASTE
One of the best ways to keep the cost of food down is to avoid waste by only preparing what you will eat. Keep checking what is in your fridge and try to eat your older foods first.
Try to make the most of your produce and minimize what you throw out. Here are a few examples of how you can do this:
Radish and carrot greens make a fantastic pesto. Blend them with lemon juice, garlic, and a drop of oil (add any spices, nuts, and cheese you like). Use the pesto to dip in toasted bread ends or pour over some pasta.
Use beet ends and greens to make a DIY mineral-rich vinegar. Put the cut off parts into a mason jar and pour Apple Cider Vinegar over the top. Add some black pepper and oregano (or your favorite spice) and voila! A delicious, healthy vinegar for your salad dressing.
4 MARK YOUR FOOD PACKAGES
Before packing your foods in the fridge, make sure you have marked them clearly. Indicate the dates they were cooked and refrigerated, so are sure what to eat first and what can wait. Freeze the things you want to keep a little longer.
5 KEEP IT SIMPLE
Eating healthy does not mean you have to make elaborate meals every time. It's possible to get all the nutrients you need from vegetables and cereals rather than having for meat in every meal. Eat more sweet potatoes, beans, and fruits (especially those which are in season) for the minerals, nutrients, and energy that you need.
6 DISCOUNTS AND LOW PRICES
Be on the lookout for sales, discounts, and low prices. You can find many organic items in discount and grocery stores to save you some money—remember to buy in bulk and check the expiration date.
7 AVOID BUYING FOODS WHICH YOU CAN COOK
You can keep your budget low by making foods like granola, energy bars, or toasted walnuts when you have time. These are healthy snack options for when you have cravings.
8 GROW SOME FOODS AT HOME
Use your balcony, kitchen counter, or backyard garden to grow fresh herbs and vegetables. Some of the foods perfect for this include coriander, radishes, baby carrots, spinach, among others.
9 LIMIT EATING OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Whenever you're away from home, the temptation of eating in a restaurant is always beckoning. However, carrying your food prepared at home in a lunch box can save you money. Restaurant meals can be costly, and in many cases, you're not getting the same quality compared to making it yourself.
Eating healthy on a budget can seem strange at first because it comes with a lifestyle change and a new focus on food, but you can do it without going broke.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team
