EATING HEALTHY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE
So – have you noticed that when you’re trying to eat healthily, your grocery bill just keeps getting higher and higher?
But trust me, you shouldn’t have to choose between eating healthy and your mortgage. I’ve got a few tips that will help you stick to a nutritious grocery list, even while on a budget.
CHECK OUT ALL YOUR OPTIONS
Okay, so obviously when you think healthy groceries, you think Whole Foods (or whole paycheck), right? And yes, while Whole Foods has some great options, it’ is incredibly easy to spend a lot on just a small amount of food. I personally love Whole Foods, but it can be a bit expensive! So, when I know I’m going to be shopping to fill the fridge or when I’m just trying to keep my grocery bill a little lower, I like to check out several stores.
Start by checking out some other grocery stores in your area. I’m going to let you in on a little secret that is quite the hidden gem… Walmart! Seriously. If you know what you’re looking for, you can usually find it there. Plus, their prices are basically unbeatable, as they have brand name and less expensive generic!
WHEN TO BUY ORGANIC
If you’re shopping at grocery stores that aren’t traditionally known as being “healthy,” the trick is to shop smart. That means buying organic when you need to, but also knowing when you can skip it altogether to save yourself a few extra dollars.
The general rule is: if it’s something you’re going to peel (like a banana or an avocado), you don’t need to buy organic because the pesticides are all stuck on the peel, anyway. And if you want a little more guidance, here’s what I do….
· Buy fruits and veggies that are in season, they will be less expensive.
· Always buy organic dairy products, believe me…. It’s worth it.
· Definitely non-gmo meats, ideally organic too!
· Apples, berries, celery, grapes, cucumber, any other juicy fruit – go organic.
bulk shop!
Bulk buys are LIFE. It’s kind of crazy how much money you can save by buying in bulk, especially for stuff that can get really pricey like meat, nut butters and protein powders. Whole Foods has a bulk section. So does Sprouts.
BUY FROZEN
Did you know that when you freeze fruits and veggies, you hardly lose any of their nutritional value? And frozen is usually much cheaper, especially when you’re buying something that’s out of season.
Plus, because it can just chill in your freezer, that means you don’t have to worry about that “it has prettier hair than me” thing. Frozen is great because it helps you avoid that nasty moldy stuff, which is basically just throwing money away, plus it’s usually cheaper in the first place. I love using frozen fruit in my smoothies, too, because then you don’t even need to add ice!
GO WITH A LIST.
We all have those impulse purchases and boy, do they add up! Reality check, most of them probably aren’t helping you with your goals. Unless you’re impulse buying kale which, like, good for you if you are! But I’m always tempted by that bar of dark chocolate hanging out by the register. Having a list — and sticking to it — saves me from bad food choices and it helps me save a ton of money. AND DON’T GO HUNGRY! No list and hungry is the deadliest combination