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There’s a lot of talk around how expensive it is to eat healthy.
Let me tell you, it can be. If you want a free range, cage free, no antibiotic, no hormone, kale eating, yoga doing turkey, it’s going to cost you. But for us common folk, there are a few tips and tricks to help you eat healthy and stick to your grocery budget!
Meal Plan
Meal planning on a Sunday will make your whole week go smoother, and it helps you spend LESS at the grocery store!
Before you start, take inventory of what you have in your pantry, fridge and freezer.
Make a list of what you already have on hand and try to center your meals for the week around those items. This way, you only buy what you need (read: spend less money). If you have half a jar of marinara in the fridge, that means one meal is could be a pasta dish this week. Here’s a simple way to put together a healthy meal:
Pick a lean protein (chicken, fish, ground turkey, shrimp, etc.) and pair it with a veggie and a complex carbohydrate (brown rice, whole grain pasta, beans, etc.)
You can switch it up and don’t necessarily have to stick to X dinner on X night. Go with what you feel like having each day. Having everything you need on hand makes it less tempting to order pizza or pick up take out. Keep a list on the side of the fridge with your planned meals so you don’t forget!
This meal planner notepad is so cute, and this one has a perforated grocery list to tear off and take with you!
Make A List
After you’ve planned out your meals, make a list of what you don’t have.
Here’s the hart part: once you’re at the store, stick to that list.
It’s tempting to see something you want to try and grab it, but that’s a slippery slope that’s only going to increase your total at checkout. If you’re easily tempted, try limiting yourself to 1-2 items that aren’t on your list.
Buy Staples in Bulk
For items that you go through on a regular basis, consider buying them in bulk. Items like milk, eggs, frozen chicken breasts, salad mix, olive oil and peanut butter are staples in our house. Though it may seem daunting to pay more now, you’re saving money in the long run since you won’t buy that item as often.
To be sure you’re getting a good deal, you can always compare an item’s price per ounce to what you would get at the grocery store. For example, a 6.5 lb package of frozen chicken breast at Costco is $15.99. At H-E-B, fresh chicken breasts average $3.50/lb and up. If you were to buy 6.5 lbs of chicken breast there, you’d be spending $23.
Some stores like Sprouts, Kroger, Central Market and H-E-B are starting to have a bulk foods section. If you don’t have a membership to a wholesale store like Costco or Sam’s, you can still get staples like dry beans, rice, flour, oats, and sugar. This is a good way to get large amounts (or the exact amount you need if you don’t need a full bag!).
Stick To The Perimeter
Here’s a little known fact about grocery stores: all the minimally processed ingredients (read: healthy) are usually on the outer perimeter of the store. That’s where you’ll find fruits and veggies, lean meats, milk, yogurt, and more. If you’re eating healthy, the majority of your grocery list should include items found on the perimeter, with the exception of things like whole wheat pasta, canned beans, oats, and breads. What’s more, all of these items on the edge are less expensive than things you find in the center, like pre-made meals and sodium-heavy canned soups.
Buy The Ice Cream
After all this talk about fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, I want to add one final reminder: healthy eating is all about balance, y’all. Healthy food takes care of yourself physically, but you need to take care of yourself emotionally, too. Snuggling up with a bowl of ice cream or a warm cookie is totally okay (and delicious), as long as it’s done in moderation.
A healthy diet isn’t depriving yourself of what you love! As I’m typing this, the smell of fresh baked brownies is filling the house. And I can’t wait to have one when they’re done 😉
Do y’all want more posts on eating healthy? Meal planning/prepping? What kind of foods we keep stocked in our pantry? Let me know!
Thanks for reading,
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