Of late, many of those I know seem to be battling with health issues in one way or another. More often than not, the overall health of a person is dictated by what he or she consumes. I dedicate this post, which is about living healthy; more specifically eating healthy, to my family and friends. Read on if you’d like to know how to eat healthy without breaking the bank.
It is common knowledge that unhealthy, processed foods tend to be lower in price than the healthier option. You might find supermarkets offer a huge discount on say a jar of cookies, but the price of a bag of carrots remains stubbornly high. They might give you a good deal on frozen dinners, however a plate of fresh fruits could set you back significantly.
The good news is there are ways to enjoy healthy eating even if you’re on a budget. In a moment, I will share with you how you can enjoy fresh produce all year round and prepare healthy meals for your family.
Tip #1: Join A “Group Buy”
Group Buys are a recent phenomenon and is made possible with social media sites like Facebook. These sites allow individuals to come together to group their purchases (hence the term group buy) in order to obtain a reduced price direct from the supplier.
Produce of equivalent quality is often 20% to 30% cheaper compared to what’s available at your local supermarket due to economies of scale. Some group buys might require that you order a minimum quantity. If you want to eat healthy and save money, consider teaming up with friends and coworkers to join a group buy. You can stock up on fresh produce and buy enough for the entire month’s worth of meals.
Tip #2: Sign Up For A Healthy Cooking Class
If you don’t know how to cook, you’re probably relying on processed and maybe even fast foods. These foods might initially appear to be economical, but the glycemic load, inflammatory agents, artificial colors and sugars could result in significantly higher cost of healthcare in the future.
Most communities offer healthy cooking classes. These classes usually costs only a few bucks and in addition to learning how to cook, you’ll also get tips on where to purchase the freshest food produce. It’s also cheaper and you control the ingredients; you save money now and in the future.
Tip #3: Buy Only What’s On Your Shopping List
Notice how you almost always end up buying a lot of stuff you never initially intended at the supermarket? Well, that’s because supermarkets understand your behavior, and they design their floor plan accordingly.
The next time you shop at a supermarket, you may notice that the fresh foodstuffs are usually lined along the perimeter of the store. You might find the fresh fruits and vegetables at one end of the store; and meat and seafood sections at the back end of the supermarket.
This design ensures that you walk-through the middle sections of the store, where you’ll be tempted with what is seemingly delicious but unhealthy processed food.
What I usually do is head straight to the aisles that I require, grab what is on my shopping list and then head to the cashier. My shopping time is typically under 30 minutes.
Tip #4: Buy From The Local Farm Market
Food produce in a local farm is usually sold very quickly after it’s harvested. Naturally, they are fresher and taste better than produce that has been shipped for a long period of time. If such a market is present in your community, you owe it to yourself to pay them a visit.
An added benefit is of course the savings that you’ll receive through buying directly from these merchants. What you might not have realized is that you’ve cut out the middleman and hence all the associated costs that come along with it. Another secondary advantage is a healthy exercise whilst you pick out your favorites.
Tip #5: Grow Your Own Vegetables
One of the best ways to save money and enjoy a healthier lifestyle at the same time is perhaps starting your own garden. You’ll get plenty of exercise and lots of vitamin D whilst tendering to your plants. You get to stock it with vegetables you love to eat and can even attempt to plant those that you yearn to try.
It’s also a great way to get to know your neighbors and pick up some healthy cooking tips as you share and swap your fresh produce.
In case you’re wondering, I get my fresh fruit and seafood supply from my student Michelle Woo’s group. Her PJ Fresh Seafood & Fruits GroupBuy <<click to check it out >> was originally started to facilitate a select few individuals to obtain good deals directly from the supplier. Since inception, the group has grown to over 2,900 members and they are now offering more than just the regular fruits, organic vegetables and seafood. Foodstuffs available for group buy range from dried nuts to virgin coconut oil to cold pressed fresh fruit juices.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you have enjoyed today’s post. Do you find today’s financial tips for healthy living useful? Which ones have you already implemented and which one would you try out? Drop me a note and let me know! Have a great week ahead.
Photo Courtesy Of: Mabel Ang & Bebee Lim
