'Save your $' - 5 Tips to eating better on a budget

Let me show you how to eat better without sacrificing taste or the $$ in your wallet.

Eating healthy and delicious food doesn’t have to be expensive. The key is to hone in on strategic budget-friendly picks, make sure you're stocked with the right kitchen staples, and take steps to minimize food waste.

1. Write out a shopping list-

This will not only save you $ but time too! Go into the supermarket for only what you put on that list, and try and steer clear of impulse buying (I hate you Costco, I always fail when I'm there).

2. Look out for promotions & offers-

A lot of times, grocery stores need to move product off their shelves and will mark down produce like meat, yogurt, vegetables, and fruit. If there is somethin you use a lot of (like chicken in my case), the store will have a promotion sometimes like buy 1 get 1 free... & I will stock up because I can always freeze the chicken down the road.

3. Stick to the OUTSIDE, of inside of the grocery store-

I tell all my clients this... think about it, the outer part of inside the grocery store has fresh produce and healthy options ( fruit, vegetables, meats, & so on) and less processed foods. Choosing fresh products with more nutrients will keep you fuller longer, than say a protein bar or pretzels.

4. Take advantage of frozen items-

Yes, fresh fruit may taste better, but its cheaper to buy it frozen. Across the board—both organic and non-organic—frozen fruits and vegetables are less expensive than fresh. They’re also just as nutritious.

In fact, frozen produce is picked at its peak in terms of freshness then immediately frozen to lock in all that goodness.

5. Skip the pre-made 'Healthy' Treats-

One of the biggest budgetary downfalls for people starting to revamp their eating habits: premade “healthy” treats. You know what I’m talking about.

Things like keto friendly cookies or ice cream, protein bars, peanut butter bites, and so on, may look healthy but are loaded in sugar, oil, syrups, and extremally high in fats and carbs.... These, of course, can be incorporated in moderation into a healthy lifestyle, but you’re paying a premium for these products. Instead, make whole, fresh foods your main priority, and when it comes to treats, make your own!

Conclusion: healthy eating does not have to be expensive!

There are many ways to get fresh vegetables, fruit and meat on a budget. Healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive, you just have to get to grips with it a little and plan ahead smartly. If you shop properly, cook for yourself and know how to use leftover food and stock up, you can eat healthily even on a budget.

xoxo

Nikki Oleksa

2/5/2022