Tips to Healthier Eating While on a Budget

When you take a look at the statistics regarding obesity in nations like the U.S. and the U.K., it’s easy to see why a call to action toward a healthier lifestyle is necessitated. In the U.S., more than two-thirds of the population is overweight or clinically obese. The obesity epidemic isn’t limited to adults either, as one in three children are overweight or clinically obese. The U.K. faces a similar problem, with 63% of its citizens maintaining unhealthy weight levels. However, that number is expected to grow. Forecasts for obesity in the U.K. indicate that 8 out of 10 men, and 7 out of 10 women will become obese by 2020. Alarmed by the growing problem, many are wanting to take action to start eating more nutritional foods, however the costs associated with such a diet can hamper initial good intentions. But eating healthy doesn’t have to cost a fortune! Here are some basic principles you should keep in mind the next time you go to your grocery store.

Plan Out Your Grocery Trip in Advance

Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help ensure your body is functioning optimally. In short, they’re some of the best foods you can eat! While fresh produce can be expensive and deter you from purchasing, produce that is in season is generally much cheaper. Therefore, it’s recommended to purchase in season produce in bulk, and store it in your freezer for later. You can also save loads of money by buying large bags of fruits and vegetables in the frozen foods section. Fruit smoothie anyone?

Know the Ins and Outs of Your Grocery Store

It pays to familiarize yourself with your local grocery store, keeping an eye out for any sales, coupons, or exclusive perks for members (you might even save on gas by becoming a member)! Rather than confining your grocery list to what you typically eat, it might be worthwhile to consider including deals you find on healthy foods. This might also help you to incorporate new foods into dishes you’ve never tried!

Choose the Best Low-Budget Foods

Maintaining a healthy diet does not necessarily mean buying double-priced organic everything and going over budget! Use an online spreadsheet or a mobile banking app to monitor your spending and make sure your sticking to a portion of your budget you’ve designated for food. Shop for less expensive cuts of meats, like chicken thighs (or any turkey cut), and utilize a slow cooker to really bring out the tenderness of the meat. Quinoa, freekeh, brown rice, and multigrain pasta are also healthy sides that pair well with any meal and can be purchased for cheap. There are also a number of dishes you can make with the same ingredients to help further trim your grocery list of nonessentials.

Meal Prep is Key

While eating at home can save you from spending big on pricy restaurant meals and eating excessively large portions, the thought of cooking all the time can be a little overwhelming. Enter ‘meal prep.’ Short for meal preparation, meal prep involves planning, preparing, and packaging your meals for the days ahead, with the idea of eating clean and sticking to suitable portions. Using an app like MyFitnessPal will help you determine how many calories you should be consuming per day, as well as the macronutrients you need to maintain or lose weight. Once you have an idea of your total caloric and macronutrient needs, you can determine what proportions of the meals you’ve prepared will suit your needs, and package accordingly. Tracking your daily eating habits will also help you understand where you’re overindulging, and where you’re falling short, making it easier to see what shopping list alterations you need to make to be healthier and more affordable.