The beginning of the new year is definitely a time filled with resolutions. If eating healthy is one of your resolutions, you’re not alone. Resolutions related to weight or food are some of the most popular resolutions made each year. Fortunately for you, there are tons of foods and cookbooks out there to guide people who want to develop healthier eating habits. The real trick is to eat healthier for less.
Although nothing will totally wipe out your grocery costs, the following five tips will help you stay within your budget as you select healthy foods for you and your family.
Skip the soft drinks. Very few changes will help you save money and eat healthily as much as eliminating soda from your family’s diet will. All of those empty calories can be completely cut from your lives. Replace soda with water for a almost no-cost alternative. Your pocketbook will thank you almost as much as your doctor. If you find you can’t cut out the soft drinks altogether, then combine coupons and store sales to pay the lowest possible price and stock up when you find a good deal.
Quit eating junk foods. Although having a candy bar or a handful of potato chips after school will make your kids happy, that candy bar certainly won’t provide any nutritional value. Candy, chips, and other junk food are expensive and unhealthy. Cutting them from your grocery list is a no-brainer.
Reconsider foods labeled as “healthy.” Foods that are marketed as healthy foods are often higher in price even though they are only marginally healthier than their counterparts. Don’t assume that having a “healthy” name makes any product worthy of requiring more of your hard-earned money.
Buy foods in their most basic form. Fresh fruits and vegetables are much healthier than their canned and processed versions. Likewise, preparing meat yourself, rather than buying frozen, pre-cooked alternatives, allows you to save money and control the way your meals are prepared.
Eat at home. Restaurants typically cover their foods in rich sauces or salt. Meals prepared in your own home, however, will only include the ingredients you want them to. Preparing your own meals is always going to be cheaper than eating out, too. Check out my regular series “Cook At Home” which will run every Thursday.
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I’m not American myself but it really surprises me how much fizzy drinks you consume. They’re unhealthy and expensive. No reason to buy them. Good point!
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