In a perfect world, we could all just stroll into our local
supermarket and purchase all the healthy foods that our hearts desire!
But that world just doesn't exist, doesn't it? Instead, we have to
settle for the reality of what our pockets can afford. And healthy food
can be really expensive!
However, if you are on a weight loss goal, obstacles like an empty pocket simply cannot stand in the way of healthy eating. Fortunately, there are many ways around this problem and it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. Here are 9 tips to save you money on your next healthy shopping trip:
1. Use digital and paper coupons
Sign up for your local supermarket's shopper club card and download their app so that you can be first in line for all their discounts and digital coupons. You can even grab a paper coupon when you enter the store. Once you are using all 3 you will find that you can save much more than what you expected!
2. Buy in bulk
Big bulk stores usually stock high-quality foods in bulk which means you will be able to pay less for those foods than you would at a local supermarket. You will end up paying more up front but you will be paying less per unit!
3. Shop locally and in season
The best place to shop for the freshest food is at the local farmers market just be prepared to bring cash with you. You can even join the local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A CSA program is where farmers will bring you a box whatever they have picked in the last week for a flat rate, so it is going to be the freshest fruit and vegetables you could possibly buy.
4. Be flexible
Shop around at different supermarkets to find the best discounts in your area. You can even check the internet or the paper for the latest bargains. And hey, maybe you even find new ingredients to put on the table! With this approach make sure that you factor in the extra cost of petrol and your time as you will be using more of both!
5. Use your freezer
If you have a large enough freezer you can buy in season foods in bulk and freeze them so that they can last longer! Just make sure to keep track of what you have and when you need to eat them by.
6. Plan ahead
As I'm sure you know by now, healthy foods tend to have a short life span! Make sure that you only purchase what you will use so that it doesn't go off and you end up throwing it away. If something is going to reach its expiry date plan to incorporate it into your diet before the expiry date.
7. Know the price per unit
Make sure you are comparing the same units to each other for a more accurate picture of the cost. Some stores will show the price per unit but if it is possible, peak inside the bag to see what you are actually paying for!
8. Swap it up
Mix cheaper ingredients with expensive ingredients so that you can have a 'fuller' dish. For example, mix veggies and grains (cheap ingredients) with chicken (expensive ingredient)
9. Measure your shopping
What you measure will improve! So just like you would measure your weight loss program measure how well you did on your last shopping trip. See what you have spent your money needlessly on and what you can cut out so that you have more money for healthier ingredients.
Follow these steps and soon you will be eating like a trust fund baby! Shopping for healthier food can be more expensive but at the end of the day, a healthier diet is worth the extra time and money. Even though I haven't spoken much about it today, make sure you are also factoring in the cost of supplements as they are also very important to a healthy diet!
However, if you are on a weight loss goal, obstacles like an empty pocket simply cannot stand in the way of healthy eating. Fortunately, there are many ways around this problem and it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. Here are 9 tips to save you money on your next healthy shopping trip:
1. Use digital and paper coupons
Sign up for your local supermarket's shopper club card and download their app so that you can be first in line for all their discounts and digital coupons. You can even grab a paper coupon when you enter the store. Once you are using all 3 you will find that you can save much more than what you expected!
2. Buy in bulk
Big bulk stores usually stock high-quality foods in bulk which means you will be able to pay less for those foods than you would at a local supermarket. You will end up paying more up front but you will be paying less per unit!
3. Shop locally and in season
The best place to shop for the freshest food is at the local farmers market just be prepared to bring cash with you. You can even join the local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A CSA program is where farmers will bring you a box whatever they have picked in the last week for a flat rate, so it is going to be the freshest fruit and vegetables you could possibly buy.
4. Be flexible
Shop around at different supermarkets to find the best discounts in your area. You can even check the internet or the paper for the latest bargains. And hey, maybe you even find new ingredients to put on the table! With this approach make sure that you factor in the extra cost of petrol and your time as you will be using more of both!
5. Use your freezer
If you have a large enough freezer you can buy in season foods in bulk and freeze them so that they can last longer! Just make sure to keep track of what you have and when you need to eat them by.
6. Plan ahead
As I'm sure you know by now, healthy foods tend to have a short life span! Make sure that you only purchase what you will use so that it doesn't go off and you end up throwing it away. If something is going to reach its expiry date plan to incorporate it into your diet before the expiry date.
7. Know the price per unit
Make sure you are comparing the same units to each other for a more accurate picture of the cost. Some stores will show the price per unit but if it is possible, peak inside the bag to see what you are actually paying for!
8. Swap it up
Mix cheaper ingredients with expensive ingredients so that you can have a 'fuller' dish. For example, mix veggies and grains (cheap ingredients) with chicken (expensive ingredient)
9. Measure your shopping
What you measure will improve! So just like you would measure your weight loss program measure how well you did on your last shopping trip. See what you have spent your money needlessly on and what you can cut out so that you have more money for healthier ingredients.
Follow these steps and soon you will be eating like a trust fund baby! Shopping for healthier food can be more expensive but at the end of the day, a healthier diet is worth the extra time and money. Even though I haven't spoken much about it today, make sure you are also factoring in the cost of supplements as they are also very important to a healthy diet!
Justin has been a part of the weight loss industry for a number
of years, first as a consumer and now as a teacher. In his own words, he
says, "I used to be overweight until people started making rude
comments and that is when decided that enough is enough, and lost the
weight for good!" He has been at his goal weight for the last 10 years
and has never looked back!
You can visit his blog at https://dynamiclifeblog.wordpress.com/
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Justin_Greyling/2163558
You can visit his blog at https://dynamiclifeblog.wordpress.com/
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