It’s too expensive to eat healthy!
I hear it all the time. The reality is, it’s too expensive to be sick. Making your health a priority is the greatest investment you can make. It’s not necessary to buy everything organic, purchase an expensive juice cleanse, consume overpriced vitamins, or buy a $600 blender to stay healthy. It’s time to boost your health without hurting your wallet!
Here are a few simple tips that have helped me stay healthy while not breaking the bank 🙂
#1 Keep your fridge glistening!
The very first thing that I clean in my home is my refrigerator. The amount of food that goes to waste from having a messy fridge is heartbreaking. The more organized your fridge is, the more you will save. You won’t have to repurchase the bunch of cilantro, bag of spinach, head of lettuce, and bundle of berries that went bad because they went unseen.Taking time to store things properly will prevent food waste, keep you healthy, and keep your wallet happy!
Fuddhist tips on food storage:
- Store all greens in your veggie drawer
- Make sure to store bananas away from other produce
- Wrap celery in foil
- Line veggie drawer with paper towels to absorb excess moisture
- Throw an apple with your potatoes to prevent sprouting
#2 Stay in the land of veggies
Grocery outings can easily turn into a Bed Bath and Beyond run, where you find yourself buying stuff you didn’t go there for. For example, under eye creams and mini vegan desserts (guilty). Stay in the land of the veggies and purchase what’s in season. Smile when you exit with your two bags for $30 instead of $80.
Fuddhist tip:
Never ever go grocery shopping hungry. You will end up buying packaged food, baked goods, and treats that will put a dent in your wallet and waistline.
#3 Embrace the coupon game
Don’t stress about meticulously cutting out every coupon and spending time organizing them. Instead of dreading that long grocery line, make sure to snag a copy of the coupon book, which is always sitting at every register. Leaf through it while you’re waiting or while the grocer is ringing you up. I’m stoked when I find a match. And even when I don’t, by the time I’m done fishing for deals, my wait in line is over. Win-win!
#4 Learn to love those thighs
We have become obsessed with purchasing all white meat. We need healthy fats! Most vitamins are fat-soluble, which means that if you are spending a fortune on vitamins and not consuming healthy fats you are throwing your money away. Fat doesn’t make you fat, sugar makes you fat. Don’t be scared of the chicken thighs. Give them a try! Keep in mind, meats in general are the highest-priced on the ticket. It’s better to focus on high quality protein and scale back on the amount. Quinoa, lentils, and beans are some great alternatives. They are loaded with protein and a lot nicer to your wallet 😉
#5 Buy the entire chicken
If your head just exploded at the idea of having to cut an entire chicken, you are not alone. What are we, in the stone age?! I can tell you from experience that after I finally took a leap of faith and carved out some time to cut an entire chicken, I was officially hooked! You’ll save money and find yourself bragging to friends about your awesome chicken cutting skills. You can do it! Here’s how. 😉
Fuddhist tip:
Save the backbone of the chicken and use it to make a delicious stock. Check out this simple recipe!
#6 Join a CSA
Eating locally and seasonally is the number one way to boost your health. Opt for receiving a box filled of wonderful fruits and veggies every month to cook with. If you’re an omnivore, many CSAs are great resources for saving big on eggs and hormone-free, antibiotic-free meats.This will not only be more cost-effective than having to drive to the grocery store every few days to pick your veggies, but it will also expand your horizons and encourage you to try new recipes. Did you say locally sourced organic produce delivered to your doorstep? Yes, please.
Fuddhist tip:
Use Local Harvest to find all the CSA options near you.
#7 Visit your local farmers’ market!
This is a great way to save money, support your local farms, and boost your health – all while having a pleasant food shopping experience outdoors with the entire family. Find a farmers’ market near you! If you don’t have access to a farmers’ market, focus on buying produce that is in season. This is another great way to save and improve your health.
Fuddhist tip:
Consider visiting the farmers’ market at the end of the day to score some great deals.
#8 Shop for what’s on sale!
I don’t have a grocery list. Apart from a few staple items that I can’t live without (avocado, garlic, onions, tomatoes, grapefruits, spinach), I buy whatever is on sale and learn to love it! This makes my shopping time fun and it encourages me to try new recipes and work certain veggies into my meal planning.
Fuddhist tip:
For all my app lovers, download Grocery IQ and thank me later. 😉 This wizard collects your desired items and finds any and all coupons to match!
#9 PRIORITIZE
Not everyone can afford to buy everything organic, so prioritizing is a must. Some fruits and veggies contain very high amounts of pesticide, so you want to make sure those items are always organic. I refer to the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen to check for the most updated list. The good news is there are a TON of fruits and veggies that don’t! For example, my adored avocado. 😉 Don’t bother getting organic avocados, spend those extra dollars on “The Dirty Dozen” instead!
Fuddhist tip:
Here’s an updated list of the dirty dozen and clean fifteen! Make sure to check them annually.
#10 Be prepared and be enamored with cooking <3
Buying pre-washed, pre-packaged food comes at a cost. Get accustomed to washing and storing your fruits and veggies yourself. Taking the time to make your health a priority is always time well-spent. Food prepping will also incentivize you to munch on more nutritious snacks. It’s vital that we get back in the kitchen and learn how to cook simple meals. Families that cook and eat together enjoy better health!
Fuddhist tip:
Meal planning can be tedious, but luckily there are tons of apps that will do the work for you. I love the Allrecipes Dinner Spinner. It’s a great app to help you meal plan and it’s free!!
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