Healthy eating can seem expensive and daunting. But, you don’t have to spend a fortune to eat right and keep your goals in check. With some simple health hacks, you can save a fortune while still eating delicious, nutritious meals.
1. Plan & prep your meals
Start the week off on the right note, by doing a good grocery shop and pre-planning your menu.
- Make a yummy vegetable-heavy stir-fry and divide it into containers to eat for lunch throughout the week
- Cook a big batch of soup and keep some for dinners, and freeze some for a later day
- Make a healthy vegetable frittata and cut into individual portions for breakfast each day
- Prepare some overnight oats with fruit, which are easy to grab and go.
2. Cook at home
They say abs are made in the kitchen. That may be true, but one thing is for sure – they aren’t made at a takeaway! Takeaway food is often packed with extra calories, and the portions are much bigger than what you’d make at home, plus it costs a whole lot more money. Cooking at home ensures you are in control of what you are eating, and you’ll save a surprising amount of cash.
3. Use your freezer wisely
Instead of wasting food, get smart about freezing it before it goes off.
- Pop milk (or a milk alternative) into an ice cube tray to stop it from going bad, and also enjoy thicker smoothies
- Freeze your spinach or kale in ziplock bags ready to pop in a smoothie or stir fry
- Freeze your fruit before it becomes overripe
- Make breadcrumbs by putting your stale bread in the blender, then freezing
4. Carry a drink bottle
Invest in a good quality drink bottle so you can have water with you wherever you go. There is no point wasting money on something you can get from the tap for free. Plus when you’re filling up on H20, you’re much less likely to head to the vending machine for a sugary soda.
5. Keep healthy snacks on hand
Stocking up on healthy snacks helps ensure you don’t crack and buy that 3pm chocolate bar. Keep fresh fruit like apples and bananas around, have a jar of nuts nearby, and keep some yoghurts or boiled eggs in the fridge.
