It costs too much to eat healthy. I can’t afford to eat healthy food. Good food is so expensive. Don’t ever be fooled into thinking that healthy food is only for the wealthy. These sentiments are so popular, and so annoying. Really, they are. Because they just aren’t true. Saying that you can’t eat well on a budget is quite simply, an excuse. The truth is, it is more than possible to eat healthy on a budget.
Let’s jump into the reasons why it doesn’t have to cost a ton to eat well. There are some simple concepts that, if you get a grip on them will revolutionize how you think about food. Really, you can eat good food on a tight budget. Let’s go.
How to afford good food on a budget
1. Don’t buy lots of processed “health” foods.
This one will do in your budget (as in, sink it), like in one shopping trip. Even when it’s on sale. You just need to realize that the convenience will cost you big time. When you buy processed food you are exchanging money for convenience. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy any. It just means that you need to make good, conscious decisions about what you buy and you need to be aware of pitfalls that cause you to overspend easily.
2. Eating simple foods saves money.
On the opposite end, is the realization that simple foods save money. The more complex a recipe is the more it will usually end up costing
Look for recipes that are simple, as in, they don’t have a ton of new spices you don’t already own, and doesn’t require you to buy new and exotic foods. New, intense recipes are fun, but you have to count the cost (literally).
On a regular basis, you need to pic simple recipes and meals that nourish your body and don’t break the bank.
3. Cooking from scratch saves money
You knew this was coming, right? The more you take the time to cook real food from scratch, the more you have the potential to save.
Here’s a good example. A friend told me about a cute little sourdough bagel shop in town. It sounded really good, so my husband went and picked some bagels up. He came home with a dozen bagels and a small tub of cream cheese. Adding the tip, he spent $24. Gulp. They were good, but we won’t be buying them on a regular basis. So, this week I took what I already had (sourdough starter, water, flour, salt, and a little maple syrup) and I gave making sourdough bagels an honest try. You want to know what? They were really good. I’ve made at least 2 dozen. And, not spent one extra dime. That is an easy $48 saved and I actually had fun realizing that making bagels doesn’t take too much work.
Basic ingredients + your time = big savings
It’s a simple equation. But, it’s a big deal. If cooking doesn’t come naturally to you, it has to be a learned skill that you get better at over time. Don’t give up, little by little, you can learn to conquer this.
4. Menu Planning will make it all possible
Menu planning is the key to making this work. If you want to eat better, but not overspend, you must, absolutely must, have a plan.
5. You can eat a “special” diet too
One more thing, just because you or someone in your family has to eat a specific diet, doesn’t mean you can’t succeed with a food budget.
Personally, we have had different seasons of special diets, for different reasons. We have eaten vegan, paleo, gluten free, lectin free, low carb… Yep, it’s been a crazy food trip here, but the point is that you can do these diets on a budget. But remember to menu plan. Because I’ve been there too, and if I go without a plan, I spend way too much.
To summerize
Eating well on a budget is possible. It takes planning and effort. It just depends how hard you want this for yourself and for your family. You can do this. Start menu planning and don’t give up!
