Affordable Healthy Eating!

Many people have expressed to me that eating healthy when you are on a budget is not very feasible. It is actually funny for me to write about this now, as I have recently had financial challenges and even I have lightly strayed from my 'food values' in order to eat. There are a lot of cheap convenience foods out there and when you are hungry, everything goes out the window! Honestly though, I haven't been feeling my best because I haven't been able to eat the quality foods I have grown accustomed too. Yesterday (dare I confess?) my lunch was two mini pepperoni pizzas! You get four of them for only $2.50 at Trader Joe's...plus my boyfriend was the one who actually did the shopping for that meal. So what could I do? I was hungry and the price was right. So it is very appropriate that I discuss how to keep your healthy eating lifestyle when living on a budget. Apparently, I need some brushing up on the subject myself. Despite not being able to stick to my 'healthy eating crusade' everyday, I have not given up. I continue to keep my core values on food. This is the most important thing to remember, stick with it! Continue to make good choices in the right direction, and believe me it will pay off.

Buy in Bulk: Since you know you will continue to eat certain items such as whole wheat pasta and brown rice, why not stock up? When you buy in bulk from those huge tubs at the store, you are cutting costs because there is less packaging. Instead of canned beans, get dried beans in bulk. Make a huge batch in a crockpot, then transfer to freezer safe containers and keep in the freezer for when you need them. All the convenience of canned beans, and way cheaper! Have you ever been to Winco? Oh man, they have tubs and tubs of bulk items! Dried fruits, beans, pastas, rice, soup mixes, spices, flax seed, nuts, and cereals. They label what is in certain things also, so be sure to check and make sure it is deemed 'healthy.' (No sugar, MSG or other random chemical agents.) You can also consider Costco. I know, I know, a trip to Costco can seem like a lot but I have found that I only need to go there every few months and I am stocked up. It really helps you stick to your healthy eating lifestyle if you always have something in your cupboards that you can make.

Clip Coupons and Read Advertisements: Doing this has become a thing of the past, but I see a lot of value in it. Check websites of your favorite products, subscribe to their e-newsletters and invest in a Sunday paper. The best way to really get the good deals is to save your coupons and use them at the same time there is a sale at your local store. I did this with those Veggie Steamers in the freezer section and when they went on sale, I pounced! It was so satisfying to get such a good deal, plus I was stocked up on easy to prepare vegetables for months! This can also work for chicken and other meat products. You can buy them in bulk on sale and freeze what you don't need at the moment. Read the weekly advertisements for your favorite stores (you can read them on their websites if they don't come in your mailbox.) Also, compare sales because sometimes you may think something is a deal (wow, only 99 cents each!), then you see that another store has a better deal (oh, 88 cents!)

The Krazy Coupon Lady

But What About Fruits and Vegetables?: I always insist that the farmer's market it the best place for deals on fruits and vegetables. It is also important to know what is in season, and stock up when the getting is good. You can freeze certain items in order to have them year round, like blueberries. You can also stock up on lemons and oranges and save the zest and juice in the freezer. I am also a huge fan, as you read above, of the microwavable steamed vegetables in the freezer section of the grocery store. They are extremely convenient and there is a huge variety year round. You can also check out your local farm. Some farms allow you to pick vegetables or fruits yourself for a cheaper price than in the store, plus it is a great experience. Another great idea? Start your own garden! Not everyone has room for a garden but many plants will do just as well in a container. Lettuce is easy to grow in a plastic tub, just stagger the harvest so you continue to have lettuce to pick. Bell peppers grow great in a standard pot. I have been successful growing peppers on my patio for two years now. It may be intimidating, but learning to grow your own food is extremely rewarding and fun to watch. If you have a really small space, check out this idea (Number 5, vertical veggie garden), I love it!

A Word About Winco: I was actually able to visit Winco for the first time in a few years. Man, was I impressed! I stopped going because I noticed the quality was not always up-to-par but I really feel like they have done a better job. The fruit and vegetables actually had some great finds, you just have to be choosy. I got a 2 Lb. container of blueberries for $4.00, a bag of fresh greens beans for under a dollar, a variety of in-season melons for about a buck each, and many other surprises in the vegetable aisle. The bulk section blew me away! I got full bags of whole wheat shell, penne and macaroni pastas for a dollar a bag! They had a great variety of whole grains in the bulk section! I made my own almond butter using their machine for less than I normally pay at Trader Joe's! I strongly encourage to check out Winco and other stores like it for great deals. You could even just buy your grains in bulk and get your weekly groceries elsewhere. The idea is you are stocking up for your future and saving money!!



Another word to the wise, the food you eat is so important. It gives you your energy and shapes your body. You eat around 3 meals a day, with snacks in between, so make sure you enjoy what you are eating. Splurge a little on something new you want to try, you don't always have to go cheap. Americans actually spend a smaller percentage of their paycheck on food than people in other countries. I believe this is because we are always rushing through every meal. Take a moment to enjoy sharing good quality food with your family and friends. You will find that in the end the price you pay for healthy food is worth it. You will look better, feel better and live longer!

I'd like to encourage anyone who has more money saving ideas to post in the comments section and share with everyone!