How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

Everyone lives a busy life no matter what age you are, whether you have a family, are going to school, or are working full time. Having a full schedule means that you may not be taking care of yourself as well as you should. Your health should be at the top of your priority list, but realistically, living a balanced life style is extremely difficult.

Briana Kutscher is a certified trainer and works with nutrition plans, and says, “In my opinion, I think the reason that people don’t like eating healthy is because they think it’s hard. People think that you have to spend $100 on groceries a week, and have to eat everything organic. I spend around $50 a week on groceries, it’s all about budgeting and knowing what to buy.” If you want to start getting in shape, it’s 80% nutrition and 20% exercise, so make sure that the food you’re consuming is healthy and clean.

Make sure to stock up on fruits and vegetables, because those are the easiest things to snack on, and they fill you up. Another substitute that you can explore is consuming whole grains, instead of other types of carbs. Purchase things that will last you a long time, so that you don’t have to buy groceries every week. Pasta, beans, and protein powder are just a few of the best things to have in your cabinet.

Overall, the best way to save money and eat healthy is to meal preparation. Every Sunday, get into the routine of planning out your meals for the week so you know what to buy at the store. Once you have all your ingredients, make your food for the week so that you are not tempted to eat out, and you already have your food make for the week. When you prepare your meals, you stay on track with your healthy eating, and won’t go through the drive through after work.

Briana says, “I think it’s important for people to understand that you can eat healthy on a budget, you just have to be smart and plan. I always hear about people buying frozen meals because they are quick and easy. People don’t know that frozen meals have an absurd amount of sodium in them, which causes puffiness. If your meal prep, then you won’t have to reach in the freezer for a quick fix.”

If you are trying to lose weight or want to make a healthier lifestyle choice, make sure to live a high protein and low carb diet. Pick up some chicken, salmon, or any other lean meats that you enjoy eating. For carbs, make sure to buy packets of whole grain rice, rice is a “staple” item, meaning that it can last a long time, saving you money in the long end. Discover what your favorite “staple” items are, and make sure to always have them in your house, that way if you are running low on food and money, you can break into your “staple” food stash.

Eating healthy and saving money is all about planning, and knowing what foods will give you energy while making you feel replenished and full.