Almost every year on January 1, ‘Eating Healthy’ tops the list of New Year Resolutions. Many of us have had “losing weight” and “being more healthy” on our lists, and we follow through…for a fortnight! It seems that often, many of us find that no matter how many times we promise ourselves, we’re just not able to stick to our health plan for too long. Why is that?
When it comes to eating healthy, sometimes price may be an obstacle without adequate planning, so we’ve provided some tips on saving money while shopping for a more healthy menu.
Junk food may cost less right now, but the damage it does to your health later can be even more pricy. Eating healthy isn’t as expensive as one thinks when you factor in long-term benefits. Here are a few tips to eat healthy easily and on a budget:-
1. Buy your produce [fruits and vegetables] in season and buy them in bulk when they’re on sale. You’ll easily save a lot of money.
2. Skip the fancy powders and supplements as meal replacements on the regular. Some powders and supplements are surely beneficial in addition to a healthy diet, and once in awhile it’s ok to use them to replace a meal, but to use them often as a meal replacement instead of eating whole foods is not as beneficial to your overall health longterm.
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3. Consider purchasing frozen or packaged fruits and vegetables. While they may not always taste as good, they’re still edible and much cheaper. After all, what’s a healthy meal without fruits or vegetables?
4. The most effective way to decrease the burden on your wallet is by eating at home. Though it seems trivial initially, eating out constantly can drastically increase your expenditure as it adds up. You don’t have to be a ‘Masterchef’ contestant to cook at home. It just requires a few basic ingredients, garnishes and spices. Then you can have fun making different combinations with your partner or friends.
When you’re cooking at home, make use of bigger portions with inexpensive ingredients [beans, pea, chickpea]. You can use those leftovers for other meals or mix them up for some variety. For example- Stews, stir-fries, salads and burritos.
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5. One big factor in saving at mealtimes is making a meal plan to ensure consistency of savings. The plan doesn’t have to be calculated down to the exact number, but having a basic plan for what you eat during the week can really help you to remain on track and incorporate all the essential requirements for your body.
6. Sometimes less healthy and more expensive foods are strategically placed in the more heavy foot-trafficked areas to catch the customer’s eye. Keep a lookout for these food traps and stay on your mission. You’re welcome :).
7. It’s always a good idea to buy whole foods [In bulk] since they’re less expensive than processed foods. And remember to make use of sales, offers, coupons and vouchers! They’ll be a lot of help.
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8. The pandemic forced a lot of us to work from home and order stuff online, including groceries. Believe it or not, this is a blessing in disguise! There are many online grocery portals and retailers that offer fruits and vegetables at affordable rates and deliver them all the way to your doorstep.
You could also download apps on mindful grocery shopping and healthy eating. Many of them even come with meal plans, information on sales and lists to make your job easier.
9. Cravings. The dietary elephant in the room. You could be the biggest fitness freak on the planet, but you’ll still not be immune to the power that your cravings have over you. In fact your hunger pangs might start increasing since you’re not consuming junk food. There’s nothing inherently wrong with longing for a particular dish; it’s just a sign that your body needs nourishment. But buying junk food or going to the grocery store when you’re hungry will throw a wrench in your plans.
For that reason, it would be better if you removed all traces of junk food from your house and social media. Instead replace them with better alternatives, such as: Almonds, walnuts, fruits. If there’s no junk food at home, then you’ll have no choice but to consume the healthier options. But don’t forget to throw in a cheat day, every once in a while.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Eating healthy isn’t as expensive or tough as people make it out to be. And it’s well worth it. You can’t be confident or have balanced lifestyle if you don’t treat your body right by eating healthy. Even though junk food results in temporary pleasure, it can’t provide the long term stability or happiness that being healthy does. You can’t control everything in life, but you do have some say in what you consume. And with a little bit of innovation and effort, you’ll soon be eating healthy and getting used to it in no time.
