Eating healthy on a budget
If you really think about unhealthy eating and healthy eating, it doesn’t cost much more. Let’s say you went to McDonald’s everyday and spent $6 a day for 5 days, that is $30 for the week, or $120 a month. Now, instead of McDonald’s, you think, I need something fast and convenient for lunch, I am going to the store to buy organic apples and organic bananas (or organic baby carrots, the price is about the same). The bag of apples has 10 apples and was $4.99 and the 10 bananas (or bag of baby carrots) came to $3. That is a total of $8, and that will last two weeks. If you wanted almonds in there, you could get a pound for $6 and the total is now $14 for two weeks. With just the fruit, you are paying $16 a month for lunch, if you add the almonds to your diet with the fruit, it is $28 a month. $120 a month for unhealthy, compared to $16 to $28 a month for healthy. Who says it is expensive to eat healthy?
I think the one of the main things to consider when dealing with finances for food is aligning money management priorities. Considering health is typically the ultimate priority in ones life, for without it, virtually all aspects of life are negatively affected. Therefore, for those who try to limit their funding toward buying quality food are only shortcutting their way to poor eating habits. With that said, buying quality food is not expensive (as Robert says). It just takes some time, commitment, and a desire to research, locate, and purchase food at the right price.
Here a few practices I have acquired throughout the years…
-Buy in bulk
-Shop at Farmers Markets
-Buy direct from the farm
-Buy Non-perishable foods online
-Calculate (do the math) compare prices/quantities
-Take advantage of sales (Buy large quantities and store)
-Ask the grocery store to cut a deal on large purchases
Allocating your time, money, and patience in acquiring quality food will be well worth it in the end.
Fuel the Movement,
JM
