I want to illustrate the point that, despite popular belief, eating healthy does not break the bank. I remember the first time I told my mom I was trying to eat a mainly plant based, whole food diet she said something along the lines of, "Yeah you can't afford that in college." Which is exactly what I thought until I proved myself wrong. I mean, at the moment I'm only buying myself food for the time between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM and a few dinners, since I still live at home. Here are some tips I've learned over the last few months about eating healthy on a budget.
1. Plan Ahead.
I know, every budgeting article and money saver website has told you to plan ahead. That's because it really makes a difference. I spend five minutes picking what meals I want to eat the rest of the week and then change them if they don't work out or I decide that this week I'm going to hate cucumbers and I don't want a cucumber salad. But I always go into the store with some kind of idea about what I want.
2. Figure out what stores in your area are charging.
Whole foods is almost infamously famous for over-charging for mediocre food just because it has the whole foods label on it. That's not to put down Whole Foods in anyway, it's just a little pricey for me. For example, I don't see the need to pay $1.99 for a cucumber when I can get it at m local farmers market or sunflower market for $.99. I shop at Smiths mostly because it's close, but when I get the chance I go to the sunflower market.
3. Give yourself time.
If you're in a hurry, which is understandable, you'll be more likely to throw something into the cart and hurry along just because the label is more recognizable or the assumption is made that more expensive = better quality. Which is seldom correct, in my experience. I'm not the knower of all things, despite my general attitude towards the human race.
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For example: Here are some Honey Nut Toasty O's. These are so great. They taste just like cheerios at about half the cost and they have wholesome ingredients: Whole grain Oat Flour, Sugar, honey, Oat bran, wheat starch, and brown sugar.
4. Prepare the food at home.
I know this sounds crazy but I mean things like dressings, sauces, things of that nature. It's cheaper and you know what's in it. You see I have a bottle of strawberry vinaigrette there, and that's because I'm lazy. But don't worry I have made it before! And my piggy bank is kind of wish I had made it this time because that little bottle cost $6.00! You need three ingredients for the homemade recipe and if you don't have vinegar and sugar in your house on a regular basis we need to have another conversation. Anyway! Making these things yourself is cheaper, healthier, and truthfully, more fun in the long run.
5. Drink Water.
It's no secret that most of the time when you're hungry you're body is actually trying to tell you it's thirsty. You'd be amazed at how often drinking a bottle of water kills the hunger craving. That gets rid of the needs for snacking and thus buying unnecessary snacks.
