Eating Healthy on a Budget

One of my biggest excuses for buying less than healthy groceries (i.e. ramen) is that unhealthy foods are SO. MUCH. CHEAPER.

And they are.

Well, sort of. If you're going with bulk ramen, maybe.

However, if you're trying to eat healthier, it is totally possible to go shopping and have a cart of food you can be pretty proud of without feeling like you've just sold your firstborn child. The key is (at least for me) not getting sucked into buying things like that $10 bottle of I-don't-even-know-what's-in-this-but-it-looks-healthy-juice (or snack food that's gluten free, vegan, and dairy free....). Sticking to fresh produce is a really good way to stay within a decent price range. I've compiled a short list of healthy foods that are just as cheap as that 4-pack of macaroni and cheese that looks way tempting:

• Brown Rice. Brown rice is great, in moderation, as a side or base for things like chicken, beans, and salsa. A 1 pound bag costs less than $2 usually, which makes it about cents a serving.
• Whole Wheat Pasta. Again, to be eaten in moderation. You can buy a a box for less than $2, which makes it about 24 cents a serving. 
• Whole Wheat Bread. I'm not a huge fan of bread, but if you're in a hurry, a quick sandwich full of lettuce, tomatoes, and sprouts can be great. Usually you can find it for less than $3, which makes it about 20 cents a serving. 
• Non-Fat Yogurt. Non-fat yogurt is great for breakfast or for a snack. I prefer to get the plain kind, because it doesn't have the added sugars and flavors, but I will usually add some frozen blueberries and granola, with maybe a little drizzle of honey. Buying the larger container rather than the individual packets is much cheaper, as well. If you buy a larger container, it's about 50 or 60 cents per serving. 
• Oats. Oats are a great breakfast item to make as oatmeal with fruit on top and can also be used to make really wholesome muffins. A container costs about $4, making the serving size cost around 13 cents each. 
• Spinach. Cheap, healthy, chock full of nutrients. A bag costs about $2. 
• Black Beans. A can costs about $1.50. They go great with brown rice, too! And really, any bean is a great source of protein for MUCH less than meat. 
• Edamame. Yummy. Delicious. Fun to eat. It's a great snack and costs about 60 cents a serving -- under $2/package normally. 

Another tip that I have for my OKC peeps (and those with a nearby Sprouts market) is that on Wednesday, Sprouts doubles up their "on sale" items -- lasts weeks "on sale" is still going on, and the next weeks is starting. So you have double the amount of items of sale. I definitely make Wednesday my groceries buying day for that reason!

There are so many healthy foods that you can buy on a budget, these are just a tiny, tiny portion of those. There are tons of great lists/articles that have been put together by awesome people who also know the struggle of wanting to eat healthfully, but are on a budget. Here (http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=83_cheap_healthy_foods_for_meals_in_minutes) is one that I particularly like!

Feel encouraged! You got this!!

HG