My Top 10 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget!

Lets be real, we are ALL on a budget. If I had it my way I would have my own LIVE in Chef who ALSO did all the Grocery Shopping. Since I'm not living the high life (yet :P), lets get back to reality. I have to skimp and save WHEREVER I can too!

I get a lot of "Eating Healthy is expensive. I cant afford that!" I wont lie and say that eating healthy is CRAZY cheap and you're just missing a key piece of the puzzle. BUT, what I can tell you is that you will pay one way or another. If you continue to eat processed, food like products then you will EVENTUALLY be paying to correct the side effects it has on your body. #PayTheFarmerOrPayTheDoctor #YourChoice

Yes, It can cost more money up front but DON'T worry! I'm going to share with you my Top 10 tips for eating healthy on a budget.

1. Make your Grocery List BEFORE you shop!

I spend considerably less when I shop with a grocery list. When I just try to wing it, my grocery bill is higher, and I buy unnecessary items. Not to mention, if I don't plan out the WHOLE week I forget or miss certain items causing me to return to the grocery store & waste even MORE money.

2. Don't shop when you're HUNGRY!

Going Grocery Shopping when you're hungry is a BIG no-no! Not only are you willing to tear off and exchange your left arm for something tasty, but you are also willing to buy anything and EVERYTHING! This leaves you will LESS money and VERY tempting food that you have to NOW try and avoid the rest of the week. Just skip it ALL together!

3. Buy Frozen Produce OR shop the Local Food Stand!

Most of the time foods in the produce section AREN'T actually as fresh as frozen produce. That’s because most frozen foods are frozen at the peak of ripeness, thereby preserving the food when it’s packed with the most nutrients. Fresh produce is usually harvested before it’s 100% ripe, and then spend a few days in the shipping process before they get to your grocery store and into your kitchen. If you aren't too keen on the whole frozen food thing, you can always shop the Local Food Stand! They are almost ALWAYS cheaper than the Grocery Store and it ALSO gives back to your local community! #WINWIN

4. Buy produce IN Season!

When you do buy fresh produce, make sure it’s in season. Prices drop on produce when it’s in season. They usually taste better TOO!

5. Invest in a GOOD Meal Replacement, NOT a protein powder!

Meal Replacements are SUPER convenient & easy for "on the go-ers", but if you don't do your research you can come across some potentially dangerous rip offs. If it DOESN'T replace a WHOLE meal--rip off! If it DOESN'T keep you full for at LEAST 3 hours--rip off! If it DOESN'T include at LEAST one serving of veggies--rip off! If it requires you to take more than ONE a day OR has you taking additional supplements--rip off! If it CLAIMS that you can lose weight by ONLY drinking it, NOT changing your eating habits or ADDING in exercise--rip off!  You get it! Do YOUR research! #Shakeology is an AMAZING #MealReplacement that I use everyday! Not to mention by favorite one taste like a reeses peanut butter cup! ❤

6. Cook in LARGER portions & freeze!

This tip saves time and money. Cook large batches of your favorite freezable meals like soups, pasta sauces, and other one-dish dinners. This a no brainer! #SorryNotSorry

7. Keep an organized Pantry & Fridge!

Organize, clean out, and take inventory of your pantry and refrigerator on a regular basis. This helps you reduce food waste and remember what you already have on hand. Before I make my weekly menu and grocery list, I always “shop my kitchen” first, and try to create recipes that build on what I already have in stock. This also keeps me from buying something at the grocery store that I already have at home in the back of the pantry.

8. Meal prep at LEAST once/Week!

I could have named this tip “don’t eat at restaurants,” but that’s not the real problem. If I find myself eating out a lot, it’s because I don’t have any meals prepared at home. When I meal prep (that just means making your meals ahead of time for the week, or sometimes even the month), I not only save time, but I save a ton of money that I would otherwise be spending at restaurants.

9. Stick with SIMPLE Recipes!

I love experimenting with new, healthy foods. But when the budget is tight, I can’t afford to buy five new spices and three new grains for one recipe. If I could, I’d make the most delicious, extravagant foods all the time and post them on Instagram in the most eye catching fashion possible BUT #AintNobodyGotTimeForDat! And that’s okay. Stick with recipes that require just a few, inexpensive ingredients. Check out my Clean Eating Recipes! They are ALSO #21DayFix approved!

10. Skip the Beverages!

This tip is equally for your health as it is for your budget. Beverages like juice, soda, beer, and wine should be considered treats and not staples. I like a good alcoholic beverage (or 2) as much as the next person, but the hidden calories are NOT something your wallet or your health needs. Honestly, just by cutting back on the unnecessary calories ALONE you will start to see the pounds FALL off!

Hope this helps guys!

-Your favorite fun-loving food ENTHUSIAST,

Ali