Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive!
Now that we are halfway into March and our New Years resolutions have either been a success or a work in progress, the newness of eating healthy has slightly diminished and we are feeling it in our wallet. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be so expensive. There are some things that you can do that will allow you to eat healthy on a budget!
Make a Grocery List & Meal Prep!
I know I talk about how important meal prep is in other posts but that’s because it is key to living a successful healthy life. If you can take some time before you go shopping and base your meals around what is on sale or what coupons and rewards you have it will save you money! A lot of fruits are on sale or veggies. Certain meats may be on sale. It doesn’t have to be a long drawn out process but just taking fifteen minutes to make a list and meal prep for the week. By making a list and sticking to it you won’t waste money on items you really don’t need. Random purchases can add up quickly.
Buy Generic Store Brands
I know some people think that a generic store brand may taste different, or not be as good as a name brand product. Most often this is untrue and it tastes just as good or better! I used to be a brand name snob and only bought brand name items because I knew I liked them and why would I change that?
When my boyfriend Brett and I moved in together is when I was introduced to more generic products. It took some getting used too but all in all every generic item I didn’t notice a difference. Brett and my bank account were very happy with me! I think it’s a mentality we have that it’s a brand name so it must be the best and generic can’t be as good. Well, I’m here to tell you it will save you money and you will not notice a difference! Be brave and try a few generic products and if there are a few things that you just can’t live without the name brand then, by all means, use it! Cutting out a few brand names will still help you out!
Some generic brands that I have used and like are;
- Kirkland at Costco
- Members Mark at Sams Club
- Meijer brand
- Spartan
Make sure you are still reading the labels to make sure that the ingredients are consistent with your dietary needs.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk at Costco or Sams Club may not be for everyone but it is a great way to buy food or other products that will allow you to save time and money in the long run. If you are buying for a family of 4+ or just for 2 you can still benefit from buying in bulk. It all depends on what you buy. If you are a family of 4 and go through gallons and gallons of milk then buying in bulk is beneficial for you! If its just you and one other person then buying milk in bulk most likely will not be beneficial for you. You want to buy things that won’t go bad before you can use them.
Some of the things that I buy at Costco are:
- Olive oil because my boyfriend and I go through A TON of it!
- Bananas ( they are super cheap)
- Eggs
- Frozen Chicken Breasts
- Spinach leaves or Kale Salad
There are other great items at Costco as well such as cheese, yogurt, lunch meats, other fruits, and veggies as well as juice and milk. A lot of their bread or bagels come in sets of two and they offer BOGO quite often as well. I buy just about everything in the Kirkland brand (the olive oil is delicious!)
Sign Up For Coupons or Rewards
I know it can be a hassle and annoying getting all the coupons in the mail or over email but, it can really save you money. You can base your meals around what may be on sale at a particular store. I am no crazy couponer but I do my best with MPerks at Meijer and Fresh Thyme Rewards.
Buy Frozen!
A lot of people think that fresh produce is better but honestly, frozen fruits and veggies are just as healthy as fresh and are often less expensive. Frozen fruits and veggies are “flash frozen” at peak ripeness and their nutrients are at an all-time high. These items are great for a quick snack or on top of cereal or oatmeal in the morning. Smoothies are always a great snack or breakfast on the go! The bonus for buying frozen? They won’t go bad! Fresh produce can go bad so quickly and you end up throwing away money. With frozen you don’t have to worry about eating those strawberries three days after you bought them. Being able to stretch out your food throughout the week is key in saving yourself some money.
Make Your Own!
A great way to save money on healthy foods is by making your own! Buying mayo or other salad dressing that are healthy or “whole30 compliant” if you are going that route can be really expensive for a small amount of product. Take some time and make your own! A little effort can go along way and you can add whatever spices you want to make it your own! My friend Julia makes a killer aioli! Haha
I hope these tips help and allow you to save money and eat healthily!
Let’s Talk!
What do you find difficult when grocery shopping on a budget?
Do you have any tips for us!?
