Eat Healthy & Save Money
If you think eating healthy costs too must money this is a blog post you will definitely want to read...because I use to think the exact same thing. While reading through remember to keep in mind how much your health is worth to you. Oh! And don't forget to have a helper on hand. Zoey always double checks the bags to ensure I didn't forget anything after grocery shopping!
1. Determine how much money you spend on food right now...include everything especially those Tim Horton coffee runs (you know what I'm talking about). I use to think I spent a lot less money on food but once I added in all the eating out and tea/muffin runs to Tims not to mention food that would be thrown out I realized I was spending a lot more!
2. Be prepared to give up the unhealthy food. I often wondered why people think eating healthy is expensive and quickly realized it is because they are still spending money on processed foods (or other things) that are not part of the meal plan. Don't add fruits/veggies on top of your current grocery list - that will cost more money.
3. Speaking of meal planning - DO IT! As much of a pain in the booty this can be it WILL save you money and you won't waste food. When I say meal prep and plan I mean for the entire week including portion control. Also, you don't need to have a new plan each week - you can repeat plans for as long as you like or rotate between a few. It's all up to you - pick a day, make a plan, make a grocery list (check for sales) and go shopping!
4. KISS - keep it simple stupid! Seriously, don't over complicate any of your meals. Choose meals that are quick and easy to prepare that require little effort. There are plenty of recipes to choose from...Pinterest is amazing to find inspiration. Oh! And theme nights are amazing because you automatically know what you will be eating that evening. Any leftovers can be used for lunch the next day. I have some super easy meal suggestion that I'm always willing to give you...all you have to do is ask! :)
5. Prep food as soon as you come home from groceries. This saves you time from putting the food away only to bring it out again to actually make it. You will also find that once you get some of your healthy food basics (which may cost more in the begining) you will always have healthy options in your cupboards and fridge (which your waist line will thank you for later on). Be careful not to overstock on food and then forget about it...that just leads to waste of food and waste of money. If you freeze anything write yourself a note...things can get lost in the freezer too.
This might all be overwhelming especially if you have never planned or prepared meals before but I'm here to help you and tell you how I learned to meal plan. Contact me if you are interested in learning to do the same.
Below is a list of common items I purchase...each week I find the best sales (including those 50% off stickers) in each category and eat that for the week. AND frozen fruits/veggies are always a great option. It's a myth that frozen fruit/veggies are not as nutritious as fresh. :)
Vegetables
Kale
Spinach
Broccoli
Asparagus
Beets
Tomatoes
Squah
String beans
Bell peppers
Carrots
Cauliflower
Snow peas
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onions
Sprouts
Fruit
Raspberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Strawberries
Orange/Tangerine
Apple
Cherries
Grapes
Kiwi
Mango
Pear
Pineapple
Banana
Protein
Chicken
Ground turkey/chicken
Salmon
Tuna
Eggs
Greek yogurt
Shakeology
Tofu
Turkey pepperoni
Cottage cheese
Carbs
Quinoa
Lentils (pasta)
Brown rice
Potato
Corn
Oatmeal
Pasta, whole grain
Crackers, whole grain
Bread (Silver Hills/Flat Outs)
Pita bread
Waffles, whole grain
Pancakes, whole grain
Bagel, whole grain
Fats
Avocado
Almonds
Cashews
Pistachios
Pecans
Hummus
Coconut milk
Feta cheese
Goat cheese
Mozzarello
Cheddar
Monterey Jack
Parmesan
Nuts/Seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Coconut, unsweetened
Salad dressing
Additional
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Peanut butter
Sunflower seed butter
