You probably think eating healthy is expensive, and yes at times it is. But there are tricks to keep it low cost.
Healthy foods consist of:
• Protein: The building blocks of muscles, needed for strength.
• Fat: A balanced intake of omega 3, 6 & 9.
• Veggies: All kinds, especially green fibrous veggies.
• Fruit: Full of vitamins.
• Water: One liter per 1000 calories you expend.
• Whole grain food: Oats, rice, pasta, breads etc.
Here are 16 ways to eat more healthy while keeping it cheap.
1: Switch to Water. Quit the soda and drink water. Take a bottle wherever you go. It's healthier and it's cheaper.
2: Consume Tap Water. Check the price of water on your tap water bill. Now check the price of bottled water. Quite a difference, isn't it? So why are you buying bottled water?
Is it cleaner? Not necessarily. Better taste? No, simply a matter of adaptation.
Bottled water companies get their supply from the same source you do, municipal water systems. It's like selling ice to Eskimos. If you don't trust the quality of tap water, filter it yourself.
3. Eat eggs. They are full of vitamins, high in proteins, and relatively low in price. Don't believe the eggs and cholesterol myth. Dietary cholesterol is not bound to blood cholesterol. Want to make it even cheaper? Buy a chicken.
4. Eat fatty meats. Fatty meats are cheaper and more tasty than lean meats. You think it's not healthy? Well check this:
• Fat doesn't make you fat, excess calories do.
• You need a balanced intake of fats, omega 3, 6 & 9.
5. Get Whey. The cheapest source of protein. Use whey in your post workout shake to help recovery.
6. Tuna cans. Canned tuna is relatively cheap and contains as much protein as meat. Alternate tuna with eggs, meat and whey. You'll easily get to your daily amount of protein.
7. Buy frozen veggies. They take less time to prepare, you don't waste money if not eaten in time, and can be bought in bulk for discounts and stored in your freezer. But, if you can afford fresh veggies, then do it.
8. Use a multivitamin. Pesticides lower the vitamin levels of your fruits and veggies. There are two solutions to that problem:
• Buy organic food. Expensive.
• Use a multivitamin. More affordable.
9. Fish Oil. Omega-3 is found in fish oil. Benefits of omega-3 consumption include:
• Lowered cholesterol levels.
• Decreased body fat.
• Reduced inflammation.
You need to eat fatty fish 3 times a week to get these benefits.
10. Buy generic food. The box might be less attractive, but it's certainly more attractive to your wallet. Brand-name food will always be more expensive. You're paying for the name. Get real. Food is food. Go generic.
11. Buy in bulk. Think long-term. Buying in bulk is more expensive at the cashier, but cheaper in the long run:
• Gets you discounts.
• Saves time.
• Saves car fuel.
Invest in a big freezer. Buy meats and veggies in bulk and freeze them.
12. Go to one grocery store. This grocery store is cheaper for meat, that grocery store is cheaper for veggies, the other grocery store is cheaper for fish? How many grocery stores are you going to, trying to find the cheapest food? Think!
• Time is money. Stop losing a day shopping.
• Cars don't run on water. Lower your fuel expenses.
13. Make a plan. A classic, but worth repeating. Everything starts with a plan.
• Make a list of what you need.
• Eat a solid meal, don't go hungry.
• Go to the grocery, get what's on your list, and get out.
No need to take your partner or kids with you. This is not a recreational activity. Just get your food and get back home.
14. Take food to work. Ever counted how much money you throw away buying food at work daily? Start preparing your food for the day. Get up earlier, eat a solid breakfast, and prepare your food for work.
Total time 30 minutes, no stress during the day about what you'll be eating, you get healthy food while sparing money.
15. Eat less. This one is obvious. The less you eat, the lower your grocery bill. If you're overweight, get on a diet. Your health and bank account will thank you.
16. Don't buy junk food. Stop buying anything that comes out of a box, it's usually unhealthy and expensive. If you actually find junk food that is cheaper than whole food, think long-term. Health implications.