So you’ve made the decision that you want to eat healthier; that you want to stop consuming fast food and packaged foods from the grocery store that are loaded with chemicals and weird ingredients you can’t pronounce. Good for you! This is the first step in becoming healthier, happier and having lots more energy to take on whatever the day has in store for you.
Now, it might seem like fresh, wholesome foods are too expensive to add to one’s diet, but that is really not the case.
It is entirely possible to add fresh foods to your daily diet without spending every last extra penny.
Below are some tips to start eating healthier all while maintaining your budget.
1. Produce Versus Product Proportions
When you shop, you want to keep your diet regimen in mind. Make a list of foods you want to buy before you shop instead of impulse shopping. Make sure you focus on buying about 80 percent produce, allowing the remainder of the groceries to be meats and other food alternatives such as fish or protein substitutions. Doing this will certainly ensure you are getting your fair share of vegetables and fruits. We recommend purchasing organic foods as non-organic foods contain pesticides that may be harmful to your health. If you buy non-organic, however, just be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables well before consuming.
2. Go Organic, but Stay Affordable
You have several affordable options available to you if buying organic and staying under budget. Check if there is a local Farmer’s Market nearby where you can get an opportunity to buy locally sourced products. If you like gardening, you can even grow your own produce! This way you know exactly how your produce was grown and you can avoid the use of nasty chemicals. Food co-ops also make it possible for you to get your hands on quality organic goods at all time low prices.
3. Shop and Compare
Don’t settle for the first local store you live closest too because it seems convenient. It’s time to check out one or more sales fliers and online advertisements to see what other stores are offering in the way of healthy foods, produce, and meats. Look for coupons, store deals, special sales and seasonal specials where you can save money. Of course, when you shop at several different stores, keep the number of stores you shop at to a minimum. You don’t what to be driving 100 miles just to get all your grocery shopping done!
4. Avoid the Bad Stuff
You might think eating healthier is more expensive, but this is not true at all! All those boxes of cookies, tubs of ice-cream and other unhealthy sweet treats add up quickly. By cutting out the junk, not only will you feel so much better, your wallet will thank you too!
5. Don’t Shop Hungry
If you shop when you are hungry, it has been proven that not only will you spend more money, you will make poorer food choices too. “Researchers found that people who hadn’t eaten all afternoon chose more high-calorie foods in a simulated supermarket than those who were given a snack just before online food shopping.” Read more here.
