9 Simple Ways to Eat Clean and Save Money

Ever since I became more aware of how to eat clean and fuel my body with most of the GOOD stuff, I’ve had resistance from people saying that it costs more to eat healthily.  You know what?  It can do, but if you organise yourself well, you’ll end up saving a whole lot of dough, not just on food, but on health care bills, pain and misery further down the line.

You know how the personal development gurus bang on about enjoying the journey? … well, that’s just what I did for my nutrition. Every year the plum, damson, apple, fig and cherry trees I planted have a greater abundance to share with me (if I beat the birds and the wasps to them) and they’re organic, bursting with flavour and nutrients and cost a fraction of what you pay in the shops. So,my friends, get planting!  Eat clean from your own home, grown produce!

Visit farmer’s markets

Unfortunately, organic food is still quite pricey in the supermarkets, but one way I find better value organic produce is to visit the farmer’s markets.  Plus, you’re helping to support your local community and getting fresher produce than if it’s been shipped from the other side of the world. Why do supermarkets do that?! I still don’t get it. I know there’s always a cost / life benefit analysis thing, but it just sucks.  When a price is put on the value of a human head or human health, it just goes to show how warped our society has become.

Take the initiative to eat clean

So, it’s down to you, my beautiful friends, to take the fresh and crunchy initiative into your own green fingers and make the choices that you know are healthiest for you and your family. Don’t let politics, balance sheets and bureaucracy stop you from living your healthiest life possible.

It’s all about baby steps. Even on a limited budget, you can make small changes now that will reap big rewards.

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Here are 9 tips to help make your wallet seem bigger and the prices seem smaller when you buy to eat clean:

1. Don’t you dare yawn when I mention meal plan!  What do you have lurking in your fridge and larder that you can use up?  Get in touch if you need help with meal plans.  I have several I can send you and which will easily take the pain away from meal planning.  Planning will make a mahoosive difference to your life and your pocket, so get planning!
2. Buy in bulk.  I know this can be tricky if you have a small fridge (like I do) and small cupboards (like I do), but it IS possible.  Just make sure that after you’ve bulk bought, you bulk cook the things you can squeeze into your deep freeze to free up some space in your fridge and larder.  I also use the tops of my cupboards to display all my pulses, lentils, grains and pasta which helps on cupboard space.  What’s more they look really chef chic up there too!
3. I mentioned it above, but shop local. Visit farmer’s markets, green grocers, butchers, fishmongers for your produce.  Buy produce that’s in-season and you’ll get it at great value.
4. Make sure you know the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15. They’re based on the Environmental Working Group’s Lists to determine which produce is best to buy.
5. When you’re out shopping and there’s a sale on, snap them up if they’re freezable.  Alternatively cook up some recipes which you can freeze afterwards. Do you know you can freeze bananas! I learned this the hard way when I tried online shopping and mistakenly ordered 6 kilos instead of 6 bananas! Just as well I like bananas ….
6. Grow your own.  We’re in the age of vertical planters, so if you don’t have much floor space, go vertical.  I’m about to have my oil tank renewed.  So, I’m planning on planting right up the side of it once the new tank is in situ to hide the ugly blighter.  But this will also give me a space where I can grow my fave cherry tomatoes, herbs, strawberries and a whole host of other green delights! Can’t wait!
7. Do you really need to eat out so often?  This is where meal planning comes into its own. How many times have you had every good intention to cook a wholesome meal, only to get to 7pm with nada in the oven. You grab the keys, head out and hit the nearest take away or your favourite restaurant.  We all do it, some more than others, but nevertheless, give it up! Get into the real food prep. Plan ahead and divert nutritional disaster!
8. Make do.  You don’t need the newest Nutribullet or Kenwood on the block to create the juices / blends / concoctions of your dreams.  Crush your fruit with a potato masher and force it through a sieve with the back of a spoon if you need to.
9. Size up your cooking portions and get excited about leftovers. I don’t know about you, but Boxing Day food is always way tastier than Christmas Day food. I get so happy when those leftovers are bunged into a pan and served up.  It gives us another delicious, full on meal which took no time to prep!  And curries!?! These bad boys are definitely better after 24 hours or so of sitting.  I always go large on my curries so we have plenty of leftovers to snap up. Get into the habit of doubling or tripling your portions so you can freeze what you don’t eat and have it at your fingertips for the next time.

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Eat clean and save money

So, you can see that with a little bit of work you really can keep your healthy eating costs to a minimum and eat clean like royalty.  It’s about forming the good habits which will become second nature as you continue along your healthy journey.

Want to join my Free Health Hub where you’ll find inspiration like this and way more in a closed group format?  Head over to my Facebook page and request to join. We’d love to see you in there!

What budget-brilliant solutions can you share with us?

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