Everyone complains eating healthy is an expensive endeavour, and though I would never say it’s cheap, there are ways to make it more affordable.
- Plan Your Meals
Know what you and your family will eat in the coming week, or better yet, the coming month, and prepare a shopping list. When you go to the supermarket, stick to your list and avoid impulse purchases. That way, you can be sure you’re buying what you need and nothing will go to waste, including your hard-earned money.
- Shop Around
Take the time to shop around. It’s worth it. While picking up a few specific groceries, use the opportunity to check out prices for items you’ll need on another occasion and note down each price or take photos. Compare not just prices, but the range of similar offerings by different brands. Go to other supermarkets and do the same thing. Supermarkets may carry some of the same products health food stores offer but at cheaper prices, but sometimes the reverse is true. Don’t take anything for granted.
- Did Someone Say Sale?
Keep an eye out for sales – check eblasts, newspapers, online ads, etc. Basic items like meat, peas, canned fish, etc. go on sale from time to time. Even if you didn’t plan to buy them when the special appears, as long as the items aren’t expiring quickly, take advantage of the sale while it lasts.
- Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat or Use Other Proteins
The chicken you buy should be labelled hormone-free, but this doesn’t mean it will be any more expensive than the hormone-riddled varieties. Now that’s out of the way, have you compared the price per kg for wings and drumsticks vs. other parts or whole chicken? You should take a closer look and consider the amount of bone as opposed to meat that counts towards the total weight.
There’s also the option of incorporating some pea-based vegetarian meals and giving your body a break from the acidity meat produces.
Canned fish isn’t the healthiest option because of the processing but it’s better to eat sardines or tuna from a can from time to time than no fish at all. The higher prices of fresh fish in Barbados can be a deterrent, I know.
- Stop Buying Junk Food
It should go without saying that if you’re trying to eat healthier, you should reduce the amount of junk food you eat. The good news is that in addition to feeling better, you may be surprised at the savings you see.
The money you save when you cut down on processed and unhealthy foods can come in handy when you want to incorporate higher quality, healthy foods.
- Make Use of Local Produce
Local fruits and vegetables can be cheaper than more exotic types of imported produce. In Barbados, we have dunks, ackees, mangoes and much more in abundant supply at different times of the year. These local fruits are packed with nutrients so don’t overlook them. Of the imported fruit options, Gala apples and oranges tend to be the cheapest of the lot. The rule is keep it simple.
- Grow Your Own Produce
If you have the space and you like gardening, why not try your hand at growing some of the herbs and vegetables you use frequently. These days, there are all sorts of space-saving gardening ideas around.
- Make Homecooked Meals
Eating out or buying lunch regularly can really add up by the end of the month. Set aside time to do as much meal prepping as you can on weekends, so cooking isn’t an onerous task during the week. It’s healthier too, because you’re can be sure about the quality of the ingredients you’re putting into your body.
- Eat Leftovers
If eating leftovers isn’t your style, then you’re either going to spend lots of time cooking every day or you’ll spend lots of money buying meals. Instead, cook large portions and mix and match your proteins, starches and vegetables from day to day to keep things interesting.
- Minimise Snacking of Any Kind
We’ve covered the benefits of lowering your junk food intake, but healthy snacks can also cost a pretty penny. Unfortunately, this includes any nuts other than peanuts (which are high in calories), health bars and other good-health-on-the-go types of concoctions. Focus on filling meals, snack on affordable fruits and raw vegetables with homemade dip and you’ll be just fine.
