Blog Written by Sinéad Bradbury
Many people believe that you have to spend lots of money to eat health. However, that doesn’t have to be the case and in my experience, the cost of not-so-healthy food, convenience meals, and snacks can add up pretty quickly and become very expensive over time.
Here are 10 areas to place your attention so you are eating the right foods, for your health, for your pocket.
- How you eat matters: Eating quality protein and healthy fats with your meals and snacks will mean you are “satisfied” from your food. For example – eating a white scone and jam is a carb rich snack. It will raise your blood sugars which can lead to a blood sugar crash and enhance further cravings. Switching this mid-morning snack to something like plain live yoghurt with berries, milled seeds and nut butter will mean you get a protein hit, healthy fats hit that won’t promote sugar cravings. Being mindful of “feeling satisfied” from your food can help you manage food portions and cravings – which can save you money in the long run.
- You’ve heard me say this before – but eat in season. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are fresher, more flavoursome and more affordable than out of season produce.
- Buy own label brands – many own labels are equal in quality to branded items. Check the ingredients list to be sure, but you will be surprised how similar they are.
- Yip-you heart it from the Nutritionists mouth (sort of!) – frozen vegetables and fruits are just as nutritious (if not more so in some cases) than fresh produce. And often a lot more affordable.
- Tinned food is ok. Wild salmon, tuna, beans, peas, tomatoes, soups can be healthy and handy options.
- Practice Meal Prep – creating a weekly plan, drafting a shopping list and setting aside time to prep some meals and snacks will save you some money. It means you are thinking about what kind of week you have ahead of you and how you can fit in some healthy snacks to fuel your days #toptip avoid shopping on an empty stomach! Hungry shoppers buy more than they need.
- It may sound obvious but cook at home as often as you can. Always healthier, always cheaper than eating out.
- It’s healthier for the environment and healthier for you – eat more plant based foods. We need this for our gut health, antioxidants, the anti-inflammatory effect, and vegetables are a lot less expensive than meat and fish. Beans and lentils are fantastic sources of plant protein and very cost efficient. They also have a long shelf life which is helpful for busy families. #toptip When you’re cooking things like minced meat you can make the meat go further by adding beans and lentils which will add to the meaty taste, and also nutrition.
- Leftovers – use them! For omelettes, stews, smoothies, sandwiches. If not going to use them, freeze them! Globally, more than 25% of food produced is wasted. Food waste is also a significant contributor to climate change. It is estimated that food waste generates about 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste is therefore an effective climate action and a very effective way of saving money when you use ALL the food you purchase.
- Re-use water bottles daily much more cost effective and better for the environment. #toptip A close friend of mine is saving for a big holiday simply by cutting out her daily coffee take out and using her workplace coffee maker. Think before you spend – for your health, for your pocket.
See you in GTC on January 25th to continue the conversation and for more information, on healthy snacks and supplements that will support good health and your pocket.
