Buying groceries in college used to give me an absurd amount of anxiety because I had a very strict budget to stick to. However, over time I picked up a few tricks to satisfy both my bank account and my desire to eat healthy. As impossible as it might feel, living on a budget does not have to mean sacrificing your health.
If you’re a college student, or anyone living on a budget, and still want to be healthy, know that it can be done. Take a look at these tips for eating well without emptying your bank account.
7. Make a list- and stick to it!
Taking an extra five to ten minutes before going grocery shopping will save you lots of time and will keep you on budget. When you have an exact list of what you need, you won’t need to wander down every single aisle making sure you don’t forget something, and end up spending too much on chips and ice cream.
6. Don’t buy junk food.
This should go without saying if you’re trying to eat healthy, but packaged junk foods are also pretty pricey. Instead, use that money to buy fresh veggies and fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth.
5. Buy in bulk.
Many grocery stores have sections to buy ingredients in bulk, which are often much cheaper than the prepackaged equivalents. Just be sure to look at the price per unit, and make sure it’s cheaper than other packaged options.
4. Make your own meals.
As obvious as this one is, people rarely bother to pack their own snacks and meals for the day. Instead, they rely on buying food when out. Not only is this infinitely more expensive than preparing your own meals and snacks, but you have no control over what goes into the food, which is usually much unhealthier than what you would make yourself.
3. Avoid name brands.
You may have grown up eating certain foods only from certain brands, but it’s time to stop wasting your money on a label. Chances are, the ingredients in the name brand and generic are exactly the same.
2. Organize your fridge and pantry.
One of the sneakiest way you’re wasting your budget on food it by not having an organized fridge and pantry. Instead of putting the new, just bought items in front of the older foods, try putting the new food in the back.
It might take a bit more time to reorganize after every shopping trip, but it forces you to use all of your food before it goes bad, which minimizes food waste and reminds you of all the food you actually have when you start feeling like there’s nothing to eat.
1. Never go shopping hungry.
If there’s one tip you take away from this, the most important would be to never go grocery shopping while hungry. Your cravings will be at their highest and your willpower will be at its lowest, and you’ll end up buying $30 worth of expensive, unhealthy treats that will do neither your budget or waistline any favors.
Do you find it difficult to eat well while staying within your budget? Share with us in the comments below.
[Featured image credit: www.weight-lift.com]