If you ever believed that eating healthy is too expensive, then you’re not alone. Healthy options always seem to cost more and when you’re struggling to make the ends meet, even a single dollar can make a huge difference. Still, the cost of eating healthy food shouldn’t come in between you and your health. To help you with that, here’s how you can eat healthy while saving your hard-earned cash.
- Create a grocery list and a weekly meal plan.
First thing’s first: Set an extra time each week to create your meal plan and grocery list. Doing this will ensure that you’ll only buy what you need without spending money on things that’ll just go to waste. But before you start with your grocery and meal planning you should first…
- Check out food sales and know what foods are in season.
Check the website of your favourite grocery store to see what foods are on sale this week so you’ll be able to plan your meals accordingly. Consider goods that are in season, and if possible, buy local to cut back on your cost.
- Consider goods that are marked down.
Most grocery stores in Singapore have a dedicated area for foods that are marked down as they approach their expiration date. Don’t be afraid of purchasing and eating these products. If you’re going to eat or freeze the products within the next few days, then consider taking the deal the next time you take a trip to the grocery store.
- Opt for non-animal protein sources.
Meat is a good source of protein, but it can be really expensive. So instead of having meat as your primary protein source, opt for plant-based sources like beans, chickpeas, and lentils. They can be used in different and delicious ways, and are super affordable. With this, you can already get your daily dose of protein without spending too much.
- Purchase seeds, nuts and spices in bulk.
It’s no secret that you get more bang for your buck when you purchase ingredients in bulk. Most grocery stores have a section for bulk foods where you can buy as much or as little as you want.
- Buy frozen vegetables and fruits.
A lot of fruits and veggies can be pricey, especially if they’re out of season. So instead of purchasing fresh fruits, opt for the frozen ones. Not only are frozen goods cheaper, you can also store them for as long as you want without having to worry about it going bad.
- Make the most out of your freezer.
Your freezer might just be one of the under-appreciated, most underestimated, and overlooked appliance in your kitchen. Make the shelf life of your goods longer by freezing them before they go bad. Freeze fresh or leftover foods like burgers, soups, or salad dressings
- Repurpose your leftovers and place them in proper storage containers.
Don’t throw your leftovers in the garbage! Instead, toss them into a clean container and eat them the following day. If you want, you can get creative with your leftovers and repurpose them into a wrap, a salad or a soup ingredient. Just ensure that you use proper storage containers to make your repurposed dish last longer.
- Avoid purchasing expensive drinks.
One of the easiest ways to save some bucks and improve your health is to stick with drinking water instead of expensive, sugary drinks. Add some kick and flavour to your good old water by infusing it with berries, cucumber, lemon, melon or mint.
- Be organized and avoid unnecessary trips to grocery stores.
If you’re smart with grocery shopping and meal planning, then you should only need to visit the supermarket once, or twice a week. Before making another trip to the grocery store, ask yourself if you really need to go there. Keep your cupboards, freezer, fridge and pantry organized so you’ll know what products you have on hand, as well as to avoid purchasing stuff that you don’t need.
Eating healthy doesn’t always need to expensive. All you’ve got to do is be smart in planning your meals and groceries, and you’ll definitely be able to enjoy healthy and budget-friendly meals.
