By Mark Gray
Eating healthy in and of itself is a challenge. With all the dollar meal menus and fast food options at your disposal, chances are you’re tempted on a daily basis to trim your budget instead of your waistline. Believe it or not, though, it’s possible to do both. Healthier eating reduces doctor’s visits, puts you in a better mood, and makes for a more active lifestyle – and all of those benefits can save you cash at the same time. If you’re willing to put in the time and energy, here’s how you can cut both your costs and your calories starting today.
1. Calculate What You Currently Spend on Food
Get an idea of what you currently spend on food so you know how much of an impact any changes can have on your finances. Set aside all grocery and restaurant receipts for one month and tally them up. Now you have a baseline number to work with which you can refer to in the ensuing months.
2. Take Advantage of Coupons
Pick up a copy of the Sunday paper and clip some coupons. Get two copies and double your savings. Next, download couponing apps such as Grocery Pal and Pushpins to your smartphone, as well as any apps your preferred grocer may provide. Organize paper coupons in a file based on food type, and when you’re doing your clipping, only cut out those that cover nutritious foods. Saving money on a bunch of high-calorie preprocessed foods does not improve your health.
3. Look For Farmers Markets
Do a quick Internet search to see if there’s a farmers market or local farm located near you. Typically, you can get a wider range of fresh fruits and vegetables, the prices are much lower, and the quality is better than that of many national grocers. Just be sure to note the hours of operation – some farmers markets are only open on certain days of the week.
4. Expand Your Diet
Expanding your regular menu to include cheaper and fresher alternatives saves you money and improves your diet. Cauliflower, eggplant, lentils, dried beans, and several types of seafood are all generally inexpensive, and all are healthier than fast food, snack food, and junk food. The more nutrients you get in your body, the less you feel like you need that extra pack of cookies. Fill up on the good stuff and don’t waste your money or your calories on the junk.
5. Pay For Ingredients That Improve Your Overall Health
There are some ingredients you should consider paying more money for in order to improve your health. This may not necessarily save you cash in the short-term, but by decreasing future doctor visits it can save you a bundle. Hempseed and flaxseed are two good examples and both can be mixed in with just about any recipe you put together. They are heart-healthy foods that also add flavor to your dishes, salads, and sides.
Conclusion
Once your new program is in place, figure out how much you’re saving and then put that money where it’s most needed. You may want to invest in some exercise equipment to either kick off or ramp up a home workout program. Walmart offers inexpensive dumbbells, or you could research Craigslist or peruse local garage sales for gear. If your savings are more significant and you want the added convenience, invest in an inexpensive gym membership – Gold’s Gym is generally a cost-effective option. Eating healthy on a budget is important, but using those savings to improve every aspect of your overall health is even better.
What ways can you think of to eat healthy on a budget?
Mark Gray is an online contributor who writes about health, wellness, and fitness as well as money management and budgeting tips.
