One of the biggest misconception people have about healthy eating is that it is too expensive, but the truth is, having a healthy and balanced diet is possible even if you are on a tight budget. Also, switching to healthy eating also helps you save a lot on medications and hospital bills that may arise from chronic diseases as a result of having poor diet, such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. Here are a few practical tips on how you can begin healthy eating without breaking the bank.
Buy a Lot of Whole Foods
Recent studies show that eating a lot of whole foods is perfect if you want to achieve better health and avoid diseases. Whole foods, unlike processed foods, have their natural fiber, phytochemicals, and essential nutrients intact, so consuming these means your body absorbs more of the nutrients that it needs to be in good shape.
Opt for Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Frozen fruits and veggies usually cost much less than fresh ones, about half the price. Also, frozen produce have a longer shelf life so you can purchase these in bulk and store them in the freezer for several weeks. This means less trips to the grocery store, saving you time and money.
Switch to Calorie-Dense Foods
Calorie-dense foods are high in calories, or energy, so eating these makes you feel satisfied a lot faster and you consume less food as a result. Some examples of calorie-dense foods are whole milk, oats, rice, pasta, and potatoes. These are not just filling, they are very tasty, too!
Choose Cheaper Meat Cuts
An important fact about meat is it is rich in protein, which is essential in building and maintaining muscle and can even help in weight loss. When buying meat, the most practical route is to go for cheaper meat cuts, such as on the bone or whole chicken and offal meats. Other sources of cheap protein are eggs, milk, whey, and frozen chicken breast.
Don’t Buy On Impulse
It is very easy to just pick anything you want from the shelves and regret buying them later. So, before you to the supermarket, write a list of everything you need to buy and make sure that you stick to that list. Physiotherapy patients who are suffering from certain conditions, in particular, need to commit to a specific diet and having a list always helps to ensure that they consume anything beyond their recommended diet.
Do Your Own Meal Preps
Instead of ordering ready made diet food, it is always more cos effective to prepare your own healthy meals. If you can’t cook that’s not a problem! Thanks to the internet, it is now very easy to search online for healthy meal recipes and watch video tutorials that show you step by step how you can prepare healthy meals.
Deciding to switch to healthy eating is the best decision you can ever make towards improving your health. As they say, you are what you eat, and eating fresh foods that are good for your body reflects the love and respect that you have for yourself.
Tim Ellis is the Principal Physiotherapist at Excel Physiotherapy and Wellness in Mascot, New South Wales, Australia. He specialises in treating complex necks and backs and developing highly effective exercise programs for his patients. Tim is committed to integrative health, healthy eating, exercise, and life long learning which he shares through his blogs.
