With the amount of fast, junk and processed foods around these days, trying to stay healthy has to be one of the most challenging things in the world. It requires a lot of dedication and motivation.
The biggest hurdle to think about is how costly is this going to be. Tight budgets are one item that’s always on students agendas. So what I’m proposing to you all is a better way too stay healthy but only low budget.
To begin, I suggest drawing up a weekly shopping list comprised of all the things you actually need. If you want to try something else then it would have to be in the expense of taking something else off to the list.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry and that is when you tend to make unnecessary purchases. Studies have shown than people tend to spend more on sugary or fatty products when they’re feeling peckish so be warned…
Never waste anything. Be strict to the point where you will buy absolutely only what you will know only eat, not what you might eat. If necessary, freeze any unused foods. Food bags and storage boxes come in handy in a situation like this.
[pullquote align=”right”]’Cooking more than you need isn’t necessarily a bad thing as any leftovers can be used for lunch next day'[/pullquote]
Cooking more than you need isn’t necessarily a bad thing as any leftovers can be used for lunch next day; this will turn out to be a healthier option than having that mayo-drenched sandwich, which comes with a fizzy drink and a bag of crisps.
Don’t forget that any extra portions can also be frozen for another day. This is a good way too build up a good supply of home-cooked meals too have whenever you fancy them.
Many people think buying frozen foods is an overrated thing but I would beg to differ. Not only are you still getting the same quality foods, they’re also giving you a longer shelf-life so you don’t worrying about it going off. An example would be frozen vegetables which are picked when ripe then frozen to help lock in those nutrients.
Beware of being seduced by attractive packaging on pricier brands. Its no secret that money can be saved buying the cheaper alternatives. It will slash a big chunk of your expenditure.
Meat and fish are arguably the most expensive things on any shopping list. That’s why taking up a vegetarian lifestyle is also something to consider. Not only will you be saving money, you will have a balanced, healthy diet.
Ingredients such as beans, peas and lentils are some of the cheapest things on the shelves and packed full of vitamins, mineral’s and fibre. You can use some of these to replace things like chicken and red meat in your meals.
Bread is arguably one of the most wasted products on shopping lists because it has a very short shelf life, but it’s another food that can easily be frozen.
It’s always good too make plans for all your meals in advance for the coming week, and if you have leftover ingredients, its always good to see if you can conjure up a meal with them. And look up recipes online – it’s cheaper than buying cook books!