Expensive proper nutrition is a stereotype. Besides, in the long run, a healthy diet can save you and your wallet from spending funds on the gym and doctors. Here are some tips that will be useful in the process of collecting the right grocery basket.
Step 1. Learn the Laws of Proper Nutrition
There are not so many rules when it comes to basic healthy eating. The main thing is to develop a habit. Here is where you can start:
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Count calories and spend more energy than you get if you want to lose weight. You can use special smartphone applications to assist you with these tasks.
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Monitor the balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and select natural products.
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More boiling and baking, less frying.
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Drink water: some experts recommend two liters per day, but it is better to calculate how much you need for your weight. Coffee, black tea, and soups do not count.
After all, the main idea of healthy nutrition is to figure out what is good for you and your overall state.
Step 2. Study the Basics of Saving Up on Food
Now that you’ve found healthy foods that make you feel good, it’s time to learn how to save up on grocery shopping. Here is what you can do:
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Plan the menu for the week.
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Make lists before going to the store.
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Search for discounts in apps and in stores.
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Check the price per kilo, not per package.
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Prepare meals at home instead of eating out.
Step 3. Give Up Unhealthy Food and Snacks
Avoid snacking and focus on what’s good!
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No ketchup and mayonnaise – use seasonings instead. Basil, dill, paprika, oregano, cumin – the list goes on.
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Sausages and smoked meats are for the lazy. Cook the meat: this is healthier and cheaper.
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Cookies and candies contain a lot of fast carbohydrates and sugar. The consumption of such food negatively affects the quality of the body. Replace the sweetness with fruits, berries, and honey.
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Fast food is about spontaneous shopping and calorie bombs. They negatively affect the wallet and health.
Step 4. Learn How to Shop Cheaper
If you are on a budget, quinoa can be replaced with lentils and pearl barley. Instead of sprouted rice and green buckwheat, choose regular ones. The lifehack of organic product sources is simple – markets. Try to buy vegetables and fruits in open market points: merchants there are less likely to use chemicals to grow their products, and the taste of market foods is often better. Besides, it is cost-efficient. Wholesale bases are yet another perfect solution who want to eat healthy on a budget.
Step 5. Avoid Common Mistakes
When focusing on nutrition, it may be tempting to follow marketing campaigns promoting healthy lifestyle products. However, try not to fall for these:
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Protein bars are small and do not satisfy hunger, but they have around 350 calories. It is better to eat a banana or an apple.
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Granola can be prepared at home. Bake in the oven flattened oatmeal with honey and nuts. You can add dried apricots or raisins. Homemade granola will be much cheaper than the packaged one.
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Do not buy ready-made detox cocktails: their benefits are not proven, and it is cheaper to squeeze the juice from seasonal fruits and vegetables by yourself.
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Oatmeal milk can also be prepared at home in 5 minutes: fill the flakes with water in a 1:2 ratio. In the morning, grind it with a blender, add water, and strain through a sieve.
Step 6. Shop Rationally
When at the store, remember to stick to your shopping list. Here is what you should keep in mind:
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Buy whole foods. Some of them are cheaper in less processed form and are also often sold in larger quantities.
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Do not buy products of promoted brands.
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Pay attention to frozen foods. They are cheaper and are easy to use.
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Do not miss out on discounts. There are a lot of sales available, where you can find lots of discounted products and buy them in bulk.
Summary
When we think about proper nutrition, we imagine expensive seafood and exotic fruits. Those are very expensive, but if you approach the matter wisely, you can collect a weekly set of products according to all the rules of healthy eating for an affordable price. However, remember to treat yourself to something special every now and then, and if the budget is too tight, Payday Depot is happy to help! Proper nutrition is a reasonable and affordable investment in yourself – you only need to understand its mechanism.
