Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping on a Budget!

So the question is.... can you still be healthy and still be on a budget??
The answer is YES!!! You just gotta be prepared and approach it in a smart way!

But let me first go over the importance of being healthy now. Most people think about what they have to spend on the present and always opt for the cheapest way. But when you think about it, think about what you're investing in when you buy fresh, whole food ingredients instead of the food that can sit on a shelf for who knows how long, and still look the same years later. That you would put in your mouth, but you're questioning if buying healthy foods is worth it. ummm YEA!! 

You have think of this as an investment in your health. I work in healthcare and have taken care of very sick elderly people. NOW, the people that are very sick in the hospital are getting younger with many more comorbid diseases! It's crazy to think that as a society we are getting sicker. But that's because of whats going on with our nutrition. So fast forward to 20 years later, and if you continue to eat bad, processed unhealthy fast food type foods, you'll be on a whole lot of medications.... MORE doctor visits.... medical bills... etc. Knowing that you could decrease your chance of that being your future, wouldn't this investment in buying fresh, food be better even if it were slightly more expensive? YES FOR ME!

But we're talking about now, and actually there are ways to still stick within a budget and still be able to shop healthy!

1. SHOP THE SALES- Look at ads, coupons what's in season. There's always deals in which the price drops for certain items of fruit. Also look at the price differences in bulk as well because, the more you buy, the less it cost.

2. MAKE A GROCERY LIST- First plan our your meals so that you can make a grocery list. Check your fridge and pantry for items that you do not need to buy. That'll save you money so that you don't waste food. Also since you have a grocery list, try sticking to it so that you're not caught off guard with sale items that you just don't have on your meal plan for the week.

3. DON'T SHOP HUNGRY- If you go hungry, you'll be tempted to buy something out of impulse. And don't go down the cookie aisle!! NO TEMPTATIONS PLEASE!

4. BUY GENERIC- Brand names cost way more. Most generic brands are just as good anyways. I always get the grocery store brand like Publix, as they do tend to save you more!

5. BUY IN BULK- Many grocery stores have a bulk section, if not, usually they have family size items. But you'll notice that when you buy bigger, the cost per unit is cheaper. It saves you more because it's less packaging. 

6. AVOID THE MIDDLE OF THE STORE- Most packaged foods don't have nearly the same nutritional value as whole unprocessed foods like produce, fresh dairy, fresh meats and whole grains. You end up paying a lot more for a lot less nutrition. So stick to the perimeter of the grocery store to make your meals with tons of spices for flavor!

7. CHOOSE SOME MEATLESS PROTEIN SOURCES- Foods like beans, lentils, etc are great sources of protein and are also really good for you. PLUS they are insanely cheap and makes a lot of servings. And they're actually quite filling!

Hope this tips help you in keeping a healthy lifestyle and still sticking to your budget!!