You know you probably should eat healthier, and that eating more fruits and vegetables is probably the way to go about it... but why does healthy food have to be so expensive?!
I ask the same question. It's crazy the prices stores charge for healthy foods! I went to Ralph's yesterday to get some fruits and veggies. Guess how much the honey crisps were... $4lb!! Ryan said his dad calls them "money crips", that's hilarious and so true.
Here's the deal, healthy doesn't have to be expensive. Here are just a few quick tips that Ryan and I use to keep healthy IN the budget.
Tip #1
COSTCO IS YOUR FRIEND!
If you don't have a Costco membership, I'd highly reccomend getting one, because the savings you can get will pay in the long run. The trick is, you HAVE to be intentional.
The cool thing is, Costco is one of the TOP organic food sellers in the country. Crazy, right? But you can get quality foods from Costco for a fraction of the cost because you're getting it in bulk. This works best for larger families... or couples where the husband is a former NFL football player that eats the world.
Ryan and I usually get organic chicken, brown rice, quinoa, kale, chia seeds, peanut butter, and frozen blueberries every two weeks. Those are our staples for meals and our morning smoothie. Any other ingredients we need we usually go to Ralph's since Ralph's dominates this area. I think there are 4 within a 2 mile radius of our apartment.
Tip #2
CHIPOTLE IS YOUR FRIEND!
5 Items from McDonalds cost about the same or more than what you can get at Chipotle. I really like the kids taco kit (I know, it says it's kids)... but it's actually a lot of food! You get two tacos, chips, AND a drink for less than $5 before tax!
If that's not your style, the bowls are usually less than $7 after tax if you stick to chicken. My point is, it doesn't break the bank, and it's a VERY quality option when you're out and about.
TIP #3
SHARING IS CARING
One way to eat healthier, or at least minimize your portion sizes, is to SHARE with whomever you're eating with. Instead of eating a whole sandwich or giant pasta dish, split it with your friends and family. Go big on salad and lite on the other items. You'll find it's a lot cheaper that way, AND you still get to enjoy the tastiness you wanted.
TIP #4
PLAN YOUR MEALS
Saying you can't afford something without knowing what you already spend is contradicting. What you can't afford is to not budget what you're spending. Once you find out what you're already paying for food (and/or coffee!), you can figure out how that plays up against the prices of the healthy foods you're considering. Budget it all out, then plan your meals within your budget, and stick to what you plan!
So, there you go!
Just a few quick tips. Happy meal budgeting!
