Every new year, 21.4% of Americans make a goal to lose weight and eat healthier. Did you make this goal this year? If so, how are you doing with your goal? Maybe you’ve found that it’s a hard goal to stick to because eating healthier food tends to come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there are ways to save money while eating healthy. Here are 6 things that you can do to cut back on spending while still eating healthier and sticking to your goal this year:
Buy in Bulk
It may not seem like you’re saving money when you buy in bulk. Although there are more upfront costs, you can end up saving a lot of money over time. Just make sure that you’re only stocking up on healthy foods that you will eat.
When it comes to meat, try purchasing what you want in bulk. Freeze or store some of it to use later. Or, cook the meat all at once. Then, you can plan different ways to use that meat throughout the week. For example, you could cook several pounds of turkey. Use some of it at lunch in salads, and incorporate the rest in dinners, such as soups or casseroles.
Shop Seasonally
Purchasing fruits and vegetables in season is a great way to save on produce. If a particular fruit or veggie isn’t in season, consider purchasing it frozen instead. And during the summer, shop at local farmers’ markets or through a co-op to cut out the middleman and get great prices on the produce you want.
Plan Your Meals
Eating at home rather than at restaurants is a great way to save money. It also helps you plan healthy meals for every day of the week. Plan out your meals for the following week every weekend. As you do, think about sales at your local stores and produce that is in season. Try to incorporate other proteins than just meat to help you save money, too. Then, use your meal plan to create your grocery list. And, when you’re at the store, stick to the list!
Grow Your Own Food
Come springtime, consider growing your own food. Not only can you save a lot of money, but you can also guarantee the freshness of the produce you consume. Think about planting fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, sprouts, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and more. If you don’t have a garden space already, create planter boxes. Then, start learning the tips and tricks for a successful garden.
Choose Generic Brands
Canned corn pretty much tastes the same whether you purchase the expensive name brand cans or the cheaper store brand ones. So, stick to generic brands when you can. You’ll find that there are some name brand products that are superior to the generic ones. However, whenever you can opt for store brand items, you’re going to end of saving money on your grocery trips.
Watch for Sales and Coupons
For those name brand products that you love, try to watch for sales and coupons. Check coupon websites, grocery store apps and websites, the products’ company sites, and—of course—Promocodes.com for great deals. For example, Rx Bars are some of our favorite snacks here at Promocodes.com. These protein bars with all-natural ingredients are gluten-free, preservative-free, and dairy-free. However, they tend to be more expensive than other protein bars. With a code from Promocodes.com, you can save on RX bars, so you can still enjoy the goodness of Peanut Butter Chocolate or Maple Sea Salt bars while sticking to your budget.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for saving money on healthy foods? Tell us about them in the comments below.