One of the biggest misconceptions about healthy eating is that you have to spend a small fortune to make it work.
As always, bigger pockets tend to make things easier – but it’s certainly not a prerequisite.
With so many health insurance claims revolving around poor diet, whether it’s joint problems or direct issues from obesity, it goes without saying that one should not write off the principles of healthy living based on cost. This is what today’s article is going to prove, as we jump into several ways where you can cut costs whilst still eating healthily.
The importance of meal planning
One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to have a plan. Meal planning allows you to make a grocery list of only the items you need for the week, as well as helping you to use up all the food you have in your pantry and fridge. Not only does this save you money, but it also cuts down on food waste.
There are a number of different ways you can meal plan, but one of the easiest is to find recipes that use similar ingredients. This way, you can buy in bulk (see our third point) and save even more money.
Cooking at home > eating out
This next point should be obvious, but due to the potential strain on your pocket, we will cover it anyway.
Put simply, eating out might tick all the social boxes, but it tends to do nothing for your pocket or diet. Restaurants need to make a profit so tend to charge handsomely for the pleasure of dining in. Plus, they use a whole host of ingredients that you don’t have a clue about, putting your diet in jeopardy.
The cost savings at home are obvious but knowing exactly what is going into your meals is arguably even more valuable.
Bulk cook your way to success
Similar to the previous points, bulk cooking is a great way to make the most of your ingredients and save money in the process. Simply put, bulk cooking is preparing a large quantity of food that can be frozen and then eaten throughout the week.
This is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of time to cook during the week, as you can cook once and have multiple meals at your disposal. It’s also a great way to save money, as you can buy ingredients in bulk and use them all up. The temptation to eat out, or order in, is suddenly quashed substantially as you know you have a ready supply of healthy meals in your fridge or freezer.
Seasonal gains
Another method to tick both boxes is by shopping seasonally. It goes without saying that if fruits and vegetables are in season, the prices will be more competitively.
However, the indirect health benefit should not be underestimated. You’ll constantly be refreshing your palette and trying exciting new fruits and vegetables by doing this. The upshot? Hopefully, you’ll be more inclined to stick with these foods rather than growing bored with the same old varieties.