“Healthy food is so expensive! I can’t afford it.”
I’ve heard statements like this both from clients and folks out in the world.
It can be tough to eat “healthy” food when fast food and highly processed packaged food is so stinking cheap.
Add to that trying to eat foods that are organic or GMO or whatever free, it can definitely feel overwhelming and just easier to eat the cheap stuff.
But I’m here to tell you eating fresh, nutritious food doesn’t have to be too expensive.
Most of what you pay for in the grocery store is convenience and marketing. If you’re willing to do a little more work at home or be on the lookout for good prices, you’ll save a bunch of money.
I’ve got a few tips to help you not spend a fortune on fresh, whole foods.
Ground beef is one of the most affordable and nutritious foods in the store. I look for 100% grass fed, but stock up on what works best for your budget. Keep extra in your freezer and find delicious recipes to make each week.
Eggs are nutritional powerhouses! I try to get cage-free eggs when I can but the average price of a dozen eggs is around $2.00. Buying in larger quantities also makes the price per egg go down. Make eggs a staple in your house.
Buy a whole chicken instead of breasts or tenders. Roast or pressure cook the whole chicken, and you’ll have a few days worth of delicious meat. Plus, you can use the cooking juices and carcass to make bone broth.
Look for larger, tougher cuts of beef. These are always less expensive than steaks. Slow cook or pressure cook these roasts to fork tender, and you’ll have shredded beef for a week.
If you have room or a chest freezer, look for a ranch that sells ½ or ¼ sides of beef. The initial cost may be a lot up front, but it will cost you way less per pound. Plus, you’ll have enough beef to last you for months.
Make your own cauliflower rice. I love the convenience of a bag of cauliflower or broccoli rice, but you can just throw a head of cauliflower into the food processor and make your own for way less.
Stock up on inexpensive root veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes and beets. These are all very versatile and store for a long time.
Don’t be shy of discount markets, like Grocery Outlet. These stores sell overstock and goods nearing expiration, but if you keep an eye out, you can find great prices on fresh fruit, veggies, meat and eggs.
Canned fish like anchovies and sardines are a great, inexpensive way to eat fish and get those Omega-3s. I love making a sardine and tuna salad during the week for lunch.
Shop local farmers markets for better prices on seasonal produce. When you buy direct from the farmer, you almost always save money, plus the produce is fresher.
Let’s tackle the whole “Certified Organic” thing next.
Yes, organic means you’re avoiding a lot of potentially harmful chemicals, including Glyphosate, which is sprayed mostly on corn, wheat, soybeans and oats.
But I don’t think you have to buy EVERYTHING organic. There is a list of the top 12 worst offenders called “The Dirty Dozen” published by the Environmental Working Group. These, you should probably buy organic if you can.
These crops are sprayed most heavily with toxins, and tend to be foods you eat the outside of, like strawberries or peppers or spinach.
Fruits and veggies that you don’t eat the skin, like bananas and avocados, are less concerning.
At the end of the day, if the choice is between a non-organic pepper and a bag of Doritos, eat the pepper!
It’s much more important to eat the whole, nutrient-dense food, and the packaged food is probably full of chemicals and pesticides, too.
So, look, I get it can seem easier and cheaper to buy the junky packaged food or grab something in the drive thru. And it is sometimes!
But as the saying goes, “You can pay the farmer now, or you can pay the doctor later.”
There are lots of ways to eat fresh, nutritious food every day and not break the bank. Just do what you can do!
Y’all, this is what my 6-month 1:1 nutrition program is all about. Helping YOU find ways to fit eating nutritious food into your life to break the brain fog, find your energy, and put more life back into your years.
Just a reminder, here’s what you get:
Food journal and health history analysis
Intensive health questionnaire
Bi-weekly support calls
Personalized shopping lists
Personalized meal plan
Personalized exercise / movement plan
Custom weekly calendar / schedule
Diet, lifestyle & supplement protocols
20% discount on supplements
Lifetime access to Facebook group
Accountability & support
RESULTS!
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