Many people who are struggling to make better food choices list the cost of healthy foods as one of the challenges in their way. While it’s true that a number of healthy foods (including organic fruits and vegetables) can cost more than less nutritional options, it’s not always the case. Further, there are several strategies to help with saving money on food, even when you’re choosing healthy options.
In today’s post, we’re going to share some of those strategies to ease the strain on your wallet next time you’re stocking up at the grocery store.
Saving Money on Food IS Possible with Healthy Eating
First, we want to share with you an interesting finding from a meta-analysis of 27 studies. Although many people believe eating healthy is significantly more expensive, consider this:
“The healthiest diets cost about $1.50 more per day than the least healthy diets, according to new research from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The finding is based on the most comprehensive examination to date comparing prices of healthy foods and diet patterns vs. less healthy ones.”
Of course, it’s still great to be saving money on food wherever possible, so let’s talk more about that now.
Tips for Saving Money on Food Without Compromising on Quality
Eat (and cook) at home
There’s a time and place for dining out. But if you’re focused on saving money on food without compromising quality, a great place to start is preparing your own food. For example, buying a smoothie at a local health food joint can run you at least $10. But preparing the same smoothie at home with your own ingredients can cost far, far less.
Shop at farmers markets
One of the benefits of shopping for produce and other goods at your local farmers markets is that they can cost less than they do at grocery stores. That’s because farmers can bring their products directly to you, rather than having to jack up their prices when things are sold through a grocery store.
Here’s a list of some great San Antonio farmers markets to try out.
Buy in bulk
When you’re stocking up on healthier foods with a longer shelf life, buying in bulk is beneficial for saving money. Not only can it save you money in the long run, but it also means fewer trips to the grocery store to get what you need!
Choose store brands
Perhaps you know that when it comes to medication, generic options are the same as brand name meds, but at a lower cost. The same goes for most store-brand vs. name brand foods! Pay attention to the prices of things like granola and cereal for starters, and notice how much more you can get for your dollar when you stick to store brands.
Try meal prepping
Meal prepping is known for being a great way to help you make healthier food choices. After all, when a healthy option is readily available, you’re more likely to reach for that. But did you know it can also help you save money? It also helps prevent food waste, as well as the urge to order takeout when hunger strikes.
Want to try meal prepping for yourself? Here are some recipes and tips to help you start:
