26 ways to eat healthy and save money
Let’s learn 26 ways to eat healthy and save money! There’re many ways to make it happen. Healthy eating shouldn’t be costly nor boring. Cooking could be so simple and tasty. Eating should be fun and tasty while eating healthier. You need to change your mindset and act on it. It’s a lifetime commitment. I’m here to help you to achieve the goal. Learn 26 ways to eat healthy and save money!
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26 ways to eat healthy and save money
1. Staying healthy costs you less
You can buy fresh produce a lot cheaper than meats. Staying healthy is a lot better and cheaper for you in the long run: Less medical bills and medication, fewer supplements, longer life expectancy, and a more energetic life with whole foods. Eat healthily and save money altogether. $1 meal now will cost you a lot more.
2. Start cooking
Cooking is easy and cheap. Just keep it simple. You can get a lot better meal than what you get from supermarkets and many restaurants. Here are money-saving tips for grocery shopping. Eat healthily and save money!
3. Shop online and pick up at the store
You can pick the exact items you want online, pay, and then pick them up whenever for your convenience. You can avoid impulse buying by sticking to your grocery list and budget. Some stores offer a pickup service for free, but others will charge you a small fee. You can also let somebody buy your grocery for you using apps like instacart. Make sure to budget that into your overall cost. You can cut the time to go to the shops and save gas at the same time.
4. Put off going to the markets for 1 more day
The less frequently you go shopping, the more chances to avoid impulsive purchases.
5. Stop food waste
Think of how much food ending up in your trash bin. If you buy it, use it! Use the food you have on hand first before shopping. Also, know your foods more. Which foods last longer? Here’s the list of foods that won’t go bad.
6. Freeze anything about to go bad
Any meat and fresh produce about to come to its expiry date, freeze that and just defrost on the day that you will eat it.
7. Pack your fridge and freezer well so it runs efficiently
It should be neither empty (so you are cooling empty air which warms up quickly) or over packed (so the airflow is hindered).
8. Being vegetarian for a meal or 2 per week
Have a meatless, plant-based meal once or twice a week. Buying meats can make your grocery bill high, unlike fresh grocery bills. Vegetables and fruits are so cheap and filling. More about veganism is here. Eat healthily and save money.
9. Prices per 100g
Some foods look cheaper in a smaller package or individual portions. But it’s usually not the case. Figure out the cost per 100 g price.
10. Buy the cheaper cuts of meat
The fatty meat, the chicken with the skin on, chicken on the bone, or drumsticks. Mix up the fatty meat (a little) with lean expensive cuts (instead of all the expensive cuts). You can save money a lot. It’s more flavorful. Always moderation.
11. Pack your lunch
Eating out costs you a lot. Let’s say $15 x 3 per week, which will be $2160 spending for the year! A simple sandwich at grocery markets costs you a lot more than making your own. Why not cook, eat healthily, and save money?
12. Stop buying takeaways
It is so much more expensive to buy takeaways. If you had a family of 4, it’ll add up quickly. Cook at home with whole foods.
13. Cut the frequency of eating out
It’ll make a big difference in your wallet and body. Set your priority straight.
14. Drink more water
Not only is it good for your hydration, but also reduces your appetite. Drinking water is very beneficial.
15. Eat less, but more frequently
Cut the portion, eat something small every 2-3 hours, then stop eating at 8 pm. Your body would stop taking extra calories since the body recognizes that nutrition would come into your body often. If you’re hungry all the time, the body would take every calorie since the body thinks it necessary for survival – even though it’s not the case. Trick your body!
16. Stop eating:
It’s obvious but not many people can comprehend this concept. Eating these will COST YOU in your health and wallet.
- Junk food: chips, cookies, chocolates, etc.
- Juices, energy drinks and soda drinks: Drink water instead
- Bread, rolls, and bagels: high in carbs and sugar
- Cereals: highly processed, high in carbs, and fortified with artificial nutrients
- Snack bars: expensive high sugar snacks with cheap grains
- Pre-maid and microwave meals: highly processed dinner
- Supplements or vitamins: once you start eating real food, you don’t need to take vitamins.
17. Read the labels
Read the food labels and avoid sugar, saturated fat, artificial flavoring, and coloring, etc. Make a wise choice on your intake for your health.
18. Organic, doesn’t mean it’s healthy
Leave it on the shelf – muesli bars, cereal, chips, organic dried fruit, organic sugar. If you overeat those items, “organic” means much at the end.
19. Stop “free range” produce
“Free cage” is exactly the same stuff from the mass-produced factory – for more $$.
20. Compare fresh, frozen, and canned prices of vegetables and fruit
Frozen berries are generally cheaper than fresh ones. You can learn more about food storage and food freezing.
21. Make your own sauces and condiments
You can cook sauces, dips, salad dressings, and spreads at home. Then you can reduce the sodium, fat, and calories. The ingredients are fresh, cheap to make and add more flavors.
22. Grow Your Own Herbs
Herbs are so expensive from the supermarket, and usually aren’t very fresh. Grow your own in pots or a garden. Then you will have fresh herbs that you can just get the amount as needed. A small pot of herbs are cheap and perennial that will continue growing indefinitely.
23. Eat fresh produce in season
Buy fresh produce in season from local farms. Less distance to travel, they are typically fresher and have a higher nutritional content. Buying food that is seasonal can save you 30- 50% because of the high supply in the season. You can also join a co-op to get a great price and support local businesses, too.
24. Try other grains
Try quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and other alternative grains. Those are not only great sources of vegan protein but also other nutrients. White flour products will make you fat. Try rice pasta and other gluten-free products and experiment with them. You might be able to find your new favorites.
25. Watch the calorie, fat, and sodium counts
Canned foods and pre-made foods contain way too much sugar, sodium, and calories. Find foods made with fewer preservatives and less sodium. Cooking with whole foods makes it easier to solve this problem. Consider investing in canning equipment.
26. Cut the sugar intake
Too much sugar in food and drinks nowadays. Cut those items, save money and you’ll be healthier in no time.
More Resources
12 ITEMS YOU CAN SAVE ON
Vox
Conclusion: Eating healthy shouldn't be boring nor expensive. You just need to know about food and drinks more, exercise, and do portion control on your intake. Be knowledgeable, creative and disciplined. That's why I'm here to help you so that you can enjoy eating more!
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