10 Tips for Eating Organic While on a Budget
Many people think that eating organic is costly, having to choose between good, healthy food and paying a bill. HOWEVER, that is not necessarily the case if you plan out the food budget AND make the decision to put your health first.
Here are 10 tips to help you budget better WHILE helping improve your health:
Make inventory of what you already have at home and make a list of what you will need for the week. Planning a weekly budget can make it easier as you can look for the weekly sales and save you money on having to make multiple trips to the store.
Research the best ways to store food as to extend life. In other words, cilantro should be stored in a cup partially filled with water and in the fridge before consuming. Otherwise, if left in the bag, it will wilt faster due to the moisture in the bag (if still in grocery bag).
Buy seasonal produce. When it in season, produce tends to be less expensive and most can be stored in containers in the freezer or even pickled.
Always check the Clean 15 on the EWG website. This helps determine what conventional produce can be consumed safely and which to avoid due to chemicals/pesticides.
You can also try generic organic foods instead of selecting the name brand organic products.
Coupons! Many companies will offer online coupons on organic products as well as using store apps (on mobile devices) that have weekly specials/discounts.
Consider making your own snacks and foods at home. Examples include energy balls and fat bombs that can help with in-between-meal cravings. Not to mention that you can manage portion size.
When possible, buy in bulk (seeds, nuts, spices) as this allows for you to use as needed and helps avoid waste.
Frozen fruits and veggies is a great way to always have produce on hand when you are unable to buy fresh during times not in season. This also helps maintain nutrients.
Meat can be quite expensive at times. To help with this, you can buy when it is on sale, from a local farm, or consider other alternative options also high in protein, such as nuts, seeds, and legumes. Organ meats are also a great staple and often times fairly inexpensive.