Healthy on a Budget: Grocery Hacks To Try This Weekend

As you know there are so many health benefits to eating healthy and exercising. Although people want to eat healthily, I often hear complaints that it is too expensive. It doesn’t have to be! Here are some grocery hacks on how to eat healthy without breaking the bank.

Visit your local farmer’s market

The farmer’s market is the perfect place to purchase inexpensive fruit and vegetables. One benefit of using the farmer’s market is that all the foods are locally grown, many without pesticides or chemicals.

Another major benefit is the price of the farmer’s produce compared to the supermarket is a great value.

Grocery stores tend to charge an arm and leg for organic fruit and vegetables. The farmer’s market is definitely a good way to keep coins in the bank.

Buy discounted meats

Did you know the grocery store has huge sells on meat when they approach the expiration date? I take advantage of this time to purchase steaks or chicken. You can buy several pounds at a discounted rate and freeze them for later.

Use coupons or customer card

I know people don’t care to cut and carry coupons, but if you want to save money you will. Another way to save money on eating healthy is to sign up for a discount card. This will allow you to get a special discount on certain items and even purchase buy-one-get-one-free most of the time.

Frozen foods are good if you can’t buy fresh

Frozen produce is nutritious just as fresh ones, but they are processed to lock in the nutrients. Also, frozen produce can last up to 8 months in the freezer, which allows you to purchase in bulk.

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk is always a good thing because it allows you to have more food without spending money weekly going to the grocery store.

You don’t have to just use the big stores like Sam’s or Costco to buy in bulk, but you can also use online websites like Amazon, Boxed, or Jet to purchase bulk without a membership commitment.

Shop at stores with the best price

Before I go grocery shopping I like to check and see what stores have the best sales. I look through the online sales rotator to see who has the best sale on produce or meat beforehand.

I have a few of my favorite spots to get the best bang for my buck and I make sure to meal prep beforehand. Meal prepping allows me to know exactly what meals I’m cooking for the week, so I know exactly what food I need to purchase.

Shop for plant-based proteins

Shopping for plant-based protein is always less expensive and gives a greater quality of food. Beans are a good source of protein and very inexpensive. You can get a pound of beans for less than $2 a bag and it can last a few days once cooked.

Other great proteins that are inexpensive, include eggs, chicken breast, seeds, oats, canned tuna, yogurt, wheat pasta, brown rice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and kale. All these foods are high in protein, inexpensive, and very filling on the stomach.

Overall eating a healthy diet takes commitment on your part and it can be inexpensive and easy if you are committed to it. A healthy diet is less expensive than medications and hospital bills. The choice is yours.