This is a guest post by Marie Miguel with tips on saving money on healthy meals.
January may be off to a close, but many of us are behind on our resolutions. Taking your time is one thing, but you should be considering a plan for the rest of the year. For many people eating healthy is a goal. Whether you’re trying to watch your weight, you want to feel better, or you want to be mindful of your overall health, eating better has many benefits.
But one stereotype about eating right is that it’s expensive. When you’re trying to save up for that home that you deserve, or you’re trying to get out of debt, the idea of eating healthy may intimidate you. However, it shouldn’t. Here are some ways you can eat better without breaking the bank.
How to Save Money on Healthy Foods
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk is your best option for saving money. It’s an initial investment, but the bigger the package, the less money it’ll cost overall. Going to a dollar store, where they sell you smaller packages, may end up costing you big time in the long run. For example, a smaller package of cheese may cost less than cheese in bulk, but it would cost more if you bought enough smaller packages to have the same amount as the one in bulk.
Shops like Sam’s Club and Costco are the kings of buying in bulk, but if you don’t have that, many grocery stores or online shops do have that bulk option.
Buy Some Appliances That Make it Easy
This is another investment that ends up paying off. Buying a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or other appliance may cost you at first, but this is something that will benefit you immensely the more you think about it. It’s easy to put healthy foods in them and cook them throughout the day, saving you time. If you feel beat, you’ll avoid ordering food or going to the fast food place, and you’ll instead eat some yummy foods at home that are already prepared.
Buy Everything in Season
When you want to eat more fruits and veggies, do your research and see what’s in season. Buying it in-season instead of off-season can cost you much less. Plus, you can rotate what you eat throughout the year, giving you some well-needed variety.
Avoid Those TV Dinners
Buying a prepackaged meal may make you think you’re eating less while saving money. Sure, it may cost less than going out to eat, but it’s still processed and lower quality. Instead of TV dinners, try planning ahead and preparing your meals beforehand. They’ll taste better and you’ll save money. Plus, they’re much healthier.
Avoid Triggers
Many of us try to avoid eating fast food or splurging on a nice dinner, but there are times when you can’t resist the urge. Sometimes, this may be due to certain triggers. For example, if you’re depressed, you may end up wanting to get some ice cream. Or, if you’re thinking about a certain memory involving food, you may want to get that food.
Whenever you lose control and spend more than you should on unhealthy foods, it’s important to write down what was going on in your head. By keeping track of this, you can figure out your triggers and learn how to avoid them. This is something that a local counselor or therapist may be able to help you with, so don’t be afraid to talk to them.
Look for Deals
Your smartphone can be the gateway to savings. You can end up saving lots of money on groceries through the latest coupons and other deals. Some coupons may not save you that much, but they add up.
Nothing Wrong With the Store Brand
Brand loyalty and going for the name brands is out of style. Many store brands are just as good as the name brand and can cost you a whole lot less.
Variety
Having variety in your household can prevent you from getting food somewhere else. For example, you can read up on a cookbook and write down some foods you want to try. You may have to buy some ingredients, but once you do so, you’ll end up having more food to cook.
In the end, eating better is a process that can end up saving you money in the long run.
About the writer:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.