When you look at eating healthy as an investment in your health, you’ll soon realize that you may end up saving a significant amount of money on healthcare costs over your lifetime. However, many people overestimate how much it actually costs to eat healthy and miss out on the opportunity to improve their health and overall well-being simply by making better food choices. With a little planning, you can eat healthy while keeping costs to minimum.
Use these tips to eat healthy without blowing your budget:
Grow Your Own Food
Consider cultivating your own garden so you can grow fresh fruits and vegetables each season. Homegrown fruits and vegetables can be free of pesticides and chemicals that store-bought produce is often laced with and you can count on fresh food season after season. Take some time to plot and maintain a garden with your favorite fruits and vegetables for a steady supply of nutrient-dense foods.
Buy Frozen Produce
Frozen fruits and vegetables can be a low-cost alternative to fresh produce and are still loaded with plenty of nutrients. Many people don’t realize that fruits and vegetables picked specifically for freezing are often at their ripest and contain the most nutrients than fruit or vegetables that are picked earlier in the season. In most cases, you will be getting the best crop of fruits and veggies when you buy frozen.
Eat More Calorie-Dense Foods
You need a combination of healthy carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats in your diet but when you’re trying to keep food costs down, this can be a challenge. Make sure you are buying more calorie-dense foods and staples like oatmeal, brown rice, and sweet potatoes. These foods provide plenty of energy and are also a good source of healthy carbs. Eating these foods on a regular basis can help you stay healthy and ward off hunger for hours.
Shop the Farmer’s Market
Even though buying frozen fruits and vegetables can be easier on the wallet, you might still be able to secure some great deals at the farmer’s market. Get into a routine of shopping the farmer’s market so you can pick up some in-season produce and don’t be afraid to ask for a deal when buying in bulk. Many farmers will be more than happy to negotiate prices when you are taking a larger load off their hands.
Consider Supplements
If you’re having a hard time finding affordable sources of protein and healthy fats, consider buying some high-quality supplements. Whey protein powder and omega-3 fish oils can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet but aren’t meant to replace real food. Consider adding supplements to your diet to keep total food costs low, but still seek out real food source of protein and fats to maintain a healthy and nutritious diet. When you’ve figured out which supplements you need, buy them in bulk or consider purchasing them online to save even more money.
Sabah Karimi is a professional freelance writer and digital copywriter. She writes personal finance, small business, and marketing content for several mainstream websites and has an educational background in business and marketing.She also writes beauty, fitness, travel, and lifestyle content for private clients.Follow her on Twitter @Sabahk
