Eating Well and staying on Budget

Admin
Jul 1, 2015
2 min read

In today's economy, buying and eating well can be a challenge sometimes. I know that many times it is tempting to buy a dollar burger from a fast food joint than to go to the grocery store and spend more buying each natural organic ingredient to make a healthy meal. However, here are some simple tips on how to eat healthy meals while staying on a budget.

1. Buy produce that is in season.I know that this may sound too simple to be effective, but it really is. When you buy foods that are in season, it helps to reduce the costs because the grocery stores are able to order it at discounted prices. They are then able to pass on those savings to their customers. Sometimes they even have great sales. Also, eating local seasonal fruits and vegetables boosts your immunity.

2. Embrace whole grains and beans. Beans and whole grains, like brown rice are an inexpensive and tasty way to bulk up meals, and can even be a meal in themselves.

3. Plan your meals ahead of time. Planning and organizing food in advance is a key step in the right direction towards eating healthy. Plus, it's also a good way to make sure you're eating what's in the fridge, to minimize waste and expenses.

4. Keep an organized fridge and pantry. Leftovers are always great, but it totally defeats the purpose if they get lost in the back of the fridge and end up going bad and getting thrown out. Label leftovers with contents and dates to keep your fridge organized and to help minimize food waste.

5. Go to the farmers market at the end of the day. Depending on where you live, farmers markets may or may not save you money during regular hours. Consider visiting the market at the end of the day, when you could very likely score some great deals. Also, you can grow an inexpensive herb and vegetable garden right in your own kitchen. There are several easy to grow herbs and veggies that do well indoors and this will additionally guarantee their freshness. You can know exactly where your food comes from.

6. Buy the in-house products of the supermarkets. For eg. If you go for shopping at Sainsbury, the Sainsbury whole wheat bread would cost you 50p whereas the other brands might be around £3-£5.