9 Easy Ways to Eat Healthy Without Going Broke
Yes, it’s possible
With today’s crazy marketing, healthy eating seems like a costly luxury, when in fact it’s actually pretty realistic. To avoid spending your life savings on organic this and heart-healthy that, memorize these easy tips for getting the most bang for your buck without resorting to the McDonald's Dollar Menu.
Buy organic only where it counts Organic food is usually pretty expensive, but fret not: Not everything you buy has to be organic. When you hit up the produce aisle, refer to the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15, which list the items that you should buy organic and the ones that are OK to buy non-organic, respectively.
Store things the right way Fruits and veggies are obviously an integral part of a healthy diet, but letting them go bad is a huge waste of money. Make sure you know how to store your healthy stuff to extend its shelf life. We follow this helpful guide to ensure we’re never left with moldy tomatoes.
Time your trip to the farmers' market Local markets are usually super crowded when they first open, but the crowd dwindles as the day goes on. Toward the end, sellers are way more likely to slash prices, as they’re just looking to unload as much product as possible. You might not have access to the same variety, but it’s definitely wallet-friendly.
Time your trip to the farmers' market Local markets are usually super crowded when they first open, but the crowd dwindles as the day goes on. Toward the end, sellers are way more likely to slash prices, as they’re just looking to unload as much product as possible. You might not have access to the same variety, but it’s definitely wallet-friendly.
Regrow your veggies All you need to turn those leftover garlic sprouts into cloves are sunlight and a big bowl of water. We’re not suggesting regrowing everything, but every little bit counts.
Get savvy with scraps Buy foods that can multitask. Take broccoli and cauliflower: Instead of eating the florets and tossing the rest, turn the broccoli stems and cauliflower leaves into delicious and healthy snacks. Anything else can be tossed into a pot of stock. Waste not, want not.
Fill your freezer Frozen fruits and veggies are more cost-efficient and, often times, healthier. Keep your freezer stocked with everything from smoothie ingredients to veggies that can be thawed and thrown into soups (which, when you’re looking to save a little, are a terrific, long-lasting option).
Get protein in different places Red meat and chicken are great sources of protein, but they’re also among the supermarket’s most expensive offerings. Seek out ingredients like beans and eggs that pack a powerful protein punch while costing a fraction of what a steak costs.
Buy a bottleDrinking water is obviously essential to a healthy diet, but constantly opening, drinking and throwing out plastic water bottles is a total waste of money (not to mention really bad for the environment). Instead, buy a good reusable bottle and water filter to keep yourself hydrated while protecting the earth and your bank account.
