How to Eat Clean on a Budget

Visit your local farmers market for good deals on fresh locally grown produce.

Clean eating can be expensive because you must be selective when choosing the foods and ingredients you put into your body, but with a little planning, it can be done on any budget. Eating clean is a healthy living style characterized by a heavy emphasis on consuming natural and organic foods that are healthy and pure, according to Fit Shack. Become a smart shopper and plan ahead because foods containing unhealthy and "non-clean" ingredients such as refined sugars, sodium, chemicals and unhealthy fats are often less expensive and more readily available than clean foods.

Things You'll Need

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean proteins
• Whole carbohydrates

Instructions

1. Budget your weekly meals in advance so you have a distinct goal when you purchase items. Going to the store without a plan can lead to impulse purchases that are unhealthy, unnecessary and expensive.

2. Look outside of your traditional grocery store to find fresh food and ingredients. Although the ease of a one-stop-shop is hard to beat for convenience, there is a lot of temptation lurking in the form of unhealthy food within those walls, and produce---especially organic---can be incredibly pricey. Opt instead for a local produce stand or farmers market in your area. You will find great deals on fresh, healthful food, and you can support your local community.

3. Buy in bulk if you find a good deal on something that can be frozen and used again later. Lean proteins such as chicken and fish are great for you and can easily be repackaged in a freezer-safe container and thawed at a later date.

4. Purchase frozen veggies that you can add to your clean meals if fresh vegetables are out of season or too expensive. Vegetables are flash frozen, which is a technique that allows them to retain their good nutrients, and the price of frozen vegetables often is considerably less than fresh.

5. Grow your own healthy produce to slash your grocery bill and give yourself a steady supply of fresh produce. Depending on the space and time you have available, this can range from a small herb pot to a full-blown garden.

6. Make extra helpings of your meal to use the next day for your lunch. Make extra portions of your carbohydrate, such as brown rice or sweet potatoes, and vegetable portions to rework into a hearty and healthy next meal such as a soup or stew.

7. Opt for water rather than soda or sugary fruit juices. This will not only benefit your body, but it also will benefit your wallet as well.

References

• The Fit Shack: What Does Eating Clean Really Mean?