If asked, most people would say that they would say that eating healthy is a goal. Yet, when we it comes time for food shopping, there is one common stumbling block to filling our carts with healthy foods: budget.
Sticker shock at the price of some healthier food choices can make it seem as though a nutritious diet is not an attainable goal. If this scenario sounds all too familiar to you, we’ve got good news for you! It is entirely possible to shop for healthy foods while on a budget. Follow these smart strategies to get the nutritious foods you want while still sticking to your budget.
- Have a Plan. Regardless of what type of diet you follow, having a plan in mind when you do your shopping will help you save money on your grocery bill. Going into the storm armed with both a list of the items that you need, and also a plan of what meals you’ll prepare throughout the week. This strategy will help you avoid unnecessary purchases that add to your total, and also help to prevent letting food that you don’t use go to waste.
- Brrr! The freezer can be your best friend in two ways in regards to making healthy eating affordable. First, check the frozen section for good deals on frozen fruits and vegetables. As long as nothing is added to the produce, the nutrient value is typically not compromised when it is frozen. Secondly, utilize your own freezer at home. When you find a sale on things like organic meats take advantage of it and buy extras and stock your freezer with items purchased at better prices.
- Buy in Bulk. Don’t skip over the bulk bins at the grocery store. Buying items like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chia seeds, and much more can have significantly lower prices than packaged versions of those same items. Another good way to get savings from bulk buying is through shopping at warehouse stores. Many warehouse stores are catching on to consumers’ desires for more real, whole foods and are starting to stock options for health-minded shoppers more regularly.
- Try a Meatless Monday. Adding a meatless Monday (or whatever day you prefer) to your week will not only help you add more vegetables to your diet, but it can also help you cut your grocery budget. Protein rich options like beans and mushrooms are less expensive than meat and are packed with nutrients!
- Go Local. Try shopping at local farmers’ markets for substantial savings on fresh foods. These non-processed foods come to you directly from the farmer which cuts out the grocery store which means big savings. Even better, many of these items are grown or raised using organic practices even when they are not formally certified as such.
- Comparison Shop. Check out your local stores to find the best prices for healthy foods, but don’t forget to check online as well. Thanks to the internet, you have more options than ever before to find great prices on healthy essentials.
