How to Eat Well on a Budget
The first response I often get when I try to encourage people to eat more healthy is "It's too expensive to eat healthy?" Can we actually put a price tag on our health? Do the majority of people only think about their health and well being when they start to lose it? It is quite easy for people to stick their hand into their wallets and cough up thousands of rand to cover their monthly medication bills, but they hesitantly spend money at the green grocer that can ultimately save their health, cut their drug expenditure and improve their overall well being.
Is it really that expensive to eat healthily or can we cut costs and get healthy at the same time?
Here are my top tips to help you get healthier and stay on budget:
NEVER SHOP ON AN EMPTY STOMACH
PLAN YOUR MEALS
STICK TO YOUR GROCERY LIST
EAT AT HOME
COOK LARGE BATCHES OF FOOD
SKIP THE JUNK FOOD AISLES
VISIT THE LOCAL FARMERS MARKET OR GREEN GROCER
STOCK UP ON SALE ITEMS
REPLACE YOUR MEAT WITH MORE PLANT BASED PROTEIN
BUY PRODUCE IN SEASON
BUY FROZEN FRUITS AND VEGGIES
BUY IN BULK
GROW YOUR OWN PRODUCE
PACK YOUR OWN LUNCH
PLAN YOUR WEEKLY SNACKS
CHECK THE PRICE LABELS AND PACK SIZES
USE YOUR PHONE CALCULATOR
STICK TO THE BASICS
GIVE YOUR LEFTOVERS A FACE LIFT
THINK PRICE PER CALORIE
WASTE NOTHING
FREEZE ANY UNUSED FOOD
CUT DOWN ON LUXURIES
STOCK UP ON WHOLE-GRAINS AND BEANS
KEEP AN ORGANISED FRIDGE AND PANTRY
DON'T BUY DRINKS
CUT COSTS ELSEWHERE
STICK TO WHAT YOU NEED
SHOPKEEPERS ARE YOUR FRIENDS
AVOID BUYING TOO MANY SUPER FOODS
COOK FROM SCRATCH
COMPARE PRICES
BE CREATIVE
