Shop Smart, Eat Healthy, Save Money
Here are my top 5 ways to save money when buying food while eating healthy. Eating healthy does not have to cost a fortune. And when done right, it shouldn’t. With a little planning and some mindful eating, you can save money and eat healthy.
- Prepare meals at home rather than eating out. Did you know that on average Americans spend over $7,700 per year on food (including groceries and eating out)? That equates to around $642.00 per month. Depending on where you live, food will be your highest expense after housing and transportation. By cooking at home you can control ingredients and portion size better and in many cases, save money as well.
- Decrease your portion size. Most people eat more than one serving at a meal. This is even easier to do when eating out because portions have grown bigger over the years. By cutting back on portions, you can reduce calories and save money. Win! Win!
- Pack your own healthy lunch and snacks. It is much easier to eat healthy if you plan meals and snacks ahead of time to take with you. Saving money will be easier too because you won’t be forced to go out to eat or have to pay the vending machine for that afternoon snack.
- Choose more fruits, vegetables, and beans. Eating a more plant-based diet is healthier for you and you save money by purchasing less meat and dairy products which usually tend to be more expensive. Also try using eggs for protein at meals instead of meat to save money.
- Plant a garden. Okay, I know not everyone has the energy, space, skills or temperament to be a gardener. But if you can grow some of your food in containers on a patio or in your backyard, you will have healthy fresh produce at your fingertips for a fraction of the price. If you have never grown a garden before, start small with some herbs. Growing basil, thyme or rosemary in a container on your windowsill is an easy way to get started and have fresh herbs too add to meals. Need more inspiration? Check out my articles and video on growing your own food here.
Most of my clients tell me they know how to eat healthy but they don’t because it is too expensive and takes too much effort and time. Well, it does take some effort and a little time to plan but it does not have to be expensive. And the time and effort you put forth in planning meals can have a huge savings to your health. It is much cheaper to eat healthy than it is to be sick. Give these tips a try and let me know how your diet changed.
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