Organic Foods for Less: Healthy Eating for Smaller Budgets

Regardless of your economic situation, we must begin to unravel the myth that eating healthy is expensive.  Today, organic foods have gotten the rap that they are more expensive but with the right understanding and preparation, it is easy to eat healthy, even for those on a budget.  Creating a plan and incorporating it into your existing shopping and meal preparation routines can help you get more food at less cost and allow you to prepare better, more healthy meals.

The following are the top ways to help you succeed in eating healthy for less:

Food Shopping

1. Read the weekly sales ads of your grocers. Use them as inspiration for the ingredients of the meals you’ll create the incoming week.  Not only will you save but you will expand your culinary skills as you branch out into new food territory.  Have fun with this one!

2. Make a shopping list. Once you’ve planned your meals, write down all ingredients. Check your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator first, you may already have some of the items. Make your grocery list but be willing to deviate a bit only in terms of sales.  Especially when it comes to organic foods, you will find some items on sale.  If you were looking to buy apples but this week the organic blueberries are on special, go for those instead!

3. Clip coupons for items you know you’ll use. Leave the remainder of the coupons at home so you’re not tempted to “save” money on items you don’t need.

4. Eat before shopping:  Never go food shopping on an empty stomach because you’re more likely to buy items on impulse that look good to your yearning stomach rather than your well thought out list.

5. Buy items on the perimeter of the store first because these items are the healthiest choices. This will include fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy items. The center items are processed or convenience foods. Not only are they more expensive, but they aren’t healthy.

6. Look for fruits and vegetables that are in season as these will often be cheaper than non-seasonal choices. While you’re looking at the fruits and vegetables, see if there are any sales on these healthy, nutrient rich foods.

* Choose large bags rather than individual pieces of fruit. The larger bags are often cheaper by the pound.

7. Buy store or generic brands. There usually isn’t much difference in the way the foods taste but you can definitely see a difference in the price. For example, Whole Foods’ in-store brand is called “360” and offers cheaper options for almost all products, from juices, cereals and grains to canned foods and cleaning supplies.

8. Buy bulk:  Grains, nuts, cereals, dried fruit, flours, candies… not only do you help the environment by diminishing packaging but the food is fresher and cheaper.

9. Buy in your local farmers markets:  This is one of the most important tips, especially when it comes to organic foods.  Not only will the food there be fresher but mostly likely cheaper too as farmers eliminate the cost of packaging and mass transit.

Other Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget

1. Make your own snacks for your family’s time away from home rather than allowing them to purchase food from vending machines. Fresh fruit and vegetable sticks with dip are much healthier than the bags of chips or crackers that come from the machines.

2. Eat at home. Whenever possible, make your food from scratch and eat it at home. Not only will this give you more control over what your family eats, but it can also save you a considerable amount of money. Also, cook large quantities that you can freeze or eat the next day at lunch saving you cooking time later.  Not a great cook yet?  Make it a goal to learn a new recipe each week.  You’ll be a chef in no time.

3. Drink healthy. Finally, when eating healthy on a budget, don’t forget to think about what you’re drinking. Expensive, sugar-laden drinks put a dent on your budget and health.

As with the creation of any new habit, these tips may take a bit of adjusting and effort at first, but if you follow through with your plan of action, you’ll find in no time these to be your regular routine.  What is more is that you’ll come to see that eating healthy, delicious organic foods does not equate to expensive eating!

Tweet This