One of the best excuses for getting a delicious takeaway is telling yourself that it costs too much to eat healthy these days. While the price of salmon and strange superfoods are going through the roof, we are here to tell you some bad news. It is perfectly possible to eat healthy on a budget. If you are looking to get rid of the excuses and start getting your diet on track then read on. If you want to keep the “healthy food is too expensive” excuse, then stop reading now.
The most important tip for eating healthy is to eat not based on recipes you find online but based on what is priced well in the supermarket. When it comes to fruits and vegetables the prices can vary dramatically based on what is in season. If you want to have avocado all year round you will pay a lot for it at certain times of the year. However, if you are willing to adjust what you buy based on what is in plentiful supply you will win big. Bonus tip, if you really want avocado and other vegetables when they are out of season, buy them while in season then pop them in the freezer.
One of the staples of any healthy diet is nuts and grains. Sadly if you buy these in 500-gram packets in the supermarket the total will add up quickly. Luckily there are plenty of bulk stores that sell these foods in high quantity. When I buy my oats, I buy 10kg at a time. That might sound like a lot but it is excellent value (and I love porridge). Buy bulk to avoid paying extra.
When eating healthy, it is a great idea to always cook a little bit extra. By adding some rice or quinoa to the meal you can make those expensive vegetables last four meals instead of two. So bulk up your meals, increase the quantity and let your leftovers be tomorrow’s lunch.
Protein is an important part of any diet. This is where most people tell me the majority of their grocery bill goes. Of course, if you are eating a fillet of free-range chicken every day that makes your meals a little too expensive, but you don’t have to do that. There are so many ways to get your daily requirements of protein and save. Tofu, beans, and nut butter are all excellent ways to increase your protein count.
In reality, the best way to save is to shop with your head screwed on. If you don’t look at the prices and refuse to plan ahead, you are asking for trouble. However, if you are serious about eating healthy then doing it on a limited budget is definitely possible.
