Many people often think that eating healthier will cost them more money, but I’ve found since switching to a healthier diet that its actually saved us considerably on our monthly grocery bill.
True, the “health foods” out there are probably more expensive – you can expect to pay $1 more example for reduced fat or sugar free peanut butter. Whole grain foods are also typically more expensive than the enriched grains. But what many people forget is when they start buying health foods, they usually stop buying junk food, which can really save you money over time.
Another benefit to eating healthier is that you likely will make meals at home instead of going out to eat. This can also save you a lot of money, since it is typically less to buy foods from scratch and cook them at home than it is to order them from a restuarant. You also won’t have to worry about having to tip the waitstaff either.
So How Do You Eat Healthier for Less Money? Our tips below will help:
1. Start planning meals: This one is difficult to do, especially if you are cooking for a whole family and the family often has different schedules or tastes. But, you will find that if you plan your meals weekly you can often cook something one night and use leftovers to make another lunch or dinner the next day. You will also find that you only buy the food you need – making sure you didn’t spend money on groceries that may just sit on your pantry shelf for weeks.
2. Budget: Creating a budget – and sticking to it – can also help you save money while at the grocery store. Calculate the things you will need for one week of meals, and then make sure you only buy those things to stick to your budget.
3. Clip Coupons: I was never much of a coupon clipper until I started eating healthy, simply because many generic brands didn’t offer the healthy versions of food. However, now that I often buy name brands that offer sugar free and fat free versions of food, I’ve found that coupons can save a good bit while grocery shopping. Sites such as Coupon Bar make it so you can download thousands of coupons and print them right from your printer!
4. Buy in Bulk Wisely: Buying certain foods and products in bulk can often help you save money. But, you need to be careful – many retailers often trick consumers thinking they are getting the better deal by buying in bulk – but its not always the case. Carrying a calculator can help you quickly and easily identify the cost per ounce while shopping to help you make the best choice. Remember too that buying in bulk is only useful if you will be able to store or eat the food – if it goes to waste, it did not save you money!
5. Buy Inexpensive Foods: Foods like tuna and eggs are very healthy for you in moderation, but many people overlook at how many inexpensive meals can be made with them. Omelets for dinner one night or a simple tuna whole wheat noodle casserole can provide for excellent substitutions for more expensive meats. A can of tuna costs often less than $1 for example, whereas a pound of chicken breast may cost over $2.
6. Stay Away From Junk Food: There’s no need to buy any junk food. This can be hard to explain to other family members who are not trying to lose weight, but in the end its better for everyone to simply stop buying it.
Have any other tips on how to eat healthier for less money? Share your ideas in the comments below.