Most people think that eating healthy is expensive.
And it may be hard to follow a healthy diet if you’re on a budget.
However, eating right and including healthy foods doesn’t always have to break the bank.
If you follow these tips, then you can still eat healthy and make it fit into your weekly grocery budget.
1. Plan your meals
If you want to eat healthy and stick to your budget, then you need to plan each meal you’re going to eat for the week and make a shopping list for it. This way, you know what you need for each meal, and you can avoid all the temptations that could derail your budget. Be sure to take stock of what you already have, so you’re not buying duplicate items that could drive up your grocery bill.
2. Stick to your list
You know what you’re having this week and you know what you need. Now it’s essential to stick to your plan, so you’re not adding extra expenses on your grocery trip. Only buy what you need, as this will help you stick to your budget.
3. Avoid or at least limit takeout
It may be tempting to get your food to go, but it will cost you more in the long run. This is why you should be cooking at home. Not only is cooking from home easy on your budget, but you also know exactly what is going into your meals, so there are no unhealthy added surprises. Eating out is expensive, but there are plenty of recipes you can find to give you restaurant-quality foods that won’t break the bank.
4. Save leftovers for lunch
If you want to save both time and money, cooking extra is the right move for you. By making large meals, you can save the extra for lunch the next day, or you can freeze and save it for later. Utilizing leftovers as a way to save on your budget is both a smart move and one that can have benefits for your ultimate goals.
5. Don’t shop hungry
How many times have you done your grocery shopping while hungry? A lot I can imagine, as I’ve done it a few times before too! And it always ended the same way, spending more than expected. Shopping while hungry may make you stray from your list, therefore adding items that may not be healthy, and that may be more expensive. And this could tank your budget fast. Always ensure you’re shopping on a full stomach to prevent impulse buys, so you can focus on keeping your health and weight loss on track.
Eating healthy may be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. If you follow these tips, you can still maintain your healthy eating plan, while sticking to your budget.
Your coach
Michał