Being Healthy on the Cheap

Article at a Glance
• Save money on fresh produce by buying it in season or from a local farm.
• You can find good bargains by buying generic brands or taking the time to clip coupons.
• Cutting back on meat, sugary beverages, and portion sizes is not only healthy, but will also save you money.

Health food stores, the organic aisle of your local grocery store, and mega gyms aren’t in the budget for most people. Luckily they aren’t your only option for getting healthy. There are a number of ways to get healthy that won’t cost you more and can even save you money.

#1: Ditch the Cigarettes: When you quit smoking you not only save a fortune on cigarettes, but you also save money on future medical costs.

#2: Cut Back on Meat: Instead of spending a ton of money on meat, try using beans or legumes. They taste great and are just as filling as meat.

#3: Breastfeeding: Formula is infamously expensive and not nearly as good for your baby as breast milk. Breastfeeding can protect your baby from a number of different illnesses and is easier for your baby to digest. It can also reduce your risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

#4: Get Active: You don’t need to belong to an expensive gym to exercise. Rent an exercise video from the library, step outside for a run, or play a game of soccer with your kids. Adults need at least 2 hours and 20 minutes of aerobic activity a week. Kids should be involved in at least 60 minutes of aerobic activity a day. When picking extra-circular sports for your kids, look for ones that encourage aerobic activity.

#5: Water: Don’t waste your money on sugar-sweetened beverages. Water is a lot healthier and much cheaper.

#6 Eat Less: Over the years, Americans’ portion sizes have increased dramatically. Cutting back will not only help you be healthier, but will also save money. If you are eating at a restaurant, try splitting an entée or taking half of it home.

#7: Go Generic: Generic brands can taste as good as their more expensive brand name counterparts and they have the same nutritional value.

#8: Clip Coupons: Before you go shopping, take a look at the grocery store ads and pull together your coupons. Coupons can often be found online and printed out or downloaded to your phone.

#9: Buy Smart: Fruits and veggies don’t have to be expensive. Try to buy them in season when they are generally cheaper. Instead of buying them pre-cut, save money by buying them whole and cutting them up once you get home. Stick them in a resealable bag so that they are easier to get at for snacking. If buying something fresh is still too expensive, look at buying fruits and vegetables either canned or frozen. Since they last longer, it also makes it easier to buy them in bulk.

#10: Start a Garden: Not only is eating something you grew yourself a lot of fun, but it is also a cheap way to get a large variety of produce. If you are a little nervous about starting, try something easy like green peas or zucchini.

#11: Join a Community Supported Agriculture program: This is a great way to get a variety of locally grown produce at a great price. You buy a share of the harvest from a local farm and get a box of fresh fruits and vegetables every week during the farming season. If you don’t want to commit to a box a week, try visiting your local farmer’s market.

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Eat healthy on a budget (Today)