When you walk into the store, it’s easy to stock up on cheap ramen or macaroni and cheese boxes. They are quick to make and easy on the budget. Unfortunately, those foods are so processed that they do more damage than good. When trying to shop healthy, we get scared by the high price tags. There is no doubt that organic apples are much more expensive than regular. Or the dehydrated apple chips. Yet, you can save money by buying healthier options.
Dive Into Your Food Budget
Many people figure out how much they can spend on food and run with it. Rather than focusing on the amount, you want to look at what you are buying, too. If you are buying a lot of sugary snacks and sodas, you need to refine your list. It doesn’t have to be all at once. You can drop one “problem” item at a time. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever have a soda or sugary snack, it will be an occasional treat. Replace each item with a healthy version. Drink water instead of soda. That alone is a money saver and far healthier. Replace sugary snacks with fresh fruits.
It Doesn’t All Have To Be Fresh
When it comes to vegetables, you can opt for frozen packages that can save you money. It will also last a lot longer than fresh veggies. Also, make sure to buy foods you like and will eat. It doesn’t make much sense to stock up on peas when no one in the house likes them. I do advise to avoid frozen or canned fruits. Preservation with a lot of sugar for the freezing or canning process happens. I don’t recommend buying anything that is in a can.
Learn About Carbs
Our society either loves carbs or hates them. There are good ones and bad ones, it’s the bad ones you want to avoid. Read your labels. A good rule of thumb is if it says enriched flour, don’t buy it. It has no nutritional value. If you can’t pronounce the ingredient, don’t buy it either. It’s chemicals that won’t do you any good. There are good carbs out there.
The Change In Eating Habits
When you stop eating a lot of processed and high sugars, you eat less. They are fillers that your body digests faster and leaves you hungry much sooner. Eating a cleaner diet with fish, poultry, and beef will leave you feeling better and more satiated. Your cravings for snacking will decrease. When you do snack, some cheese or nuts are great to give you a pick-me-up. It will also fill you up and make you eat less.
The Bottom Line
When you eat healthily, you will experience more healthy days. You will feel good and energetic. It means less sick days at work. Fewer visits to a doctor outside of an annual checkup. Your insurance premiums, in theory, will drop because you are healthier. You won’t spend as much on medicines and out of pocket costs for hospital visits. It all turns into extra savings for you.
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