How to Eat a Healthy Diet and Save Money
Eating and maintaining a healthy diet is essential if you want to live a quality lifestyle and keep illnesses at bay--however, it can be costly to buy food items and products from organic or specialty stores. That's why so many of us in these hard financial times find ourselves compromising our health and diets by eating cheaper quality and "junk" foods. This article will offer some tips on keeping a healthy diet and saving money on a limited budget.
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Things You'll Need
- Farmers Market
- Wholesale Clubs
- Dollar Stores
- Discount stores
- Generic drugs
Instructions
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Shop at local farmers markets or family grocery stores where the products can cost less than the larger chain supermarkets. Usually they will have reduced prices for certain produce or products that haven't sold and they wish to move quickly. Ask the store manager if they have certain days when products might go on sale.
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Buy generic name brand multivitamins, supplements and over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, cough medicine and flu medication. They work in the same way as the brand name products, but usually cost less.
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Shop at budget discount stores. For example, dollar stores stock generic over-the-counter vitamins, supplements and medications at less than a quarter of the price you pay at drugstores. Many also offer fresh fruits and vegetables that cost a fraction of what you would pay at a supermarket.
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Buy bulk packaging. Buying products in bulk at wholesale clubs like COSTCO will help you to reduce your grocery bills because you will not have to pay for the added expense of marketing and packaging individual items.
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Cook meals in large quantities and divide into separate portions, then freeze for work lunches or meals at a later date. Pasta dishes are great for cooking in bulk and dividing into smaller portions.
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Plan a weekly and monthly menu and make a list of items that you will need. Estimate the costs and make a weekly budget to see where you can make adjustments or modify the menu to fit your budget--without compromising your diet or health.
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Cut out coupons from magazines and newspapers to help reduce grocery costs. Join grocery clubs or rewards programs to get the in-store discounts. Most of the top chain supermarkets offer discount or rewards programs, but you have to join the club or become a member before you can qualify.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a daily log of your expenses and the items that you purchase so you can have a history of your spending habits and eating patterns. Observe and see how it affects your eating and your health. If there is a negative impact, then you should find ways to change it.
Staying healthy and eating a healthy diet usually involves more than one person--usually family members, friends and colleagues are part of your life--so include them in the plan, because the more support you can get from each other--the better the chances of staying the course and maintaining that healthy lifestyle.
This article is not a substitute for seeking medical attention from your own medical doctor or health care professional.
