Shopping Quality Food on a Budget
Whether you are a mom that has multiple mouths to feed, or if you are a newly married couple on a tight budget, or a single person trying to invest in their health, then these tips are for you! Consuming healthy foods is an investment. I’ve heard it said that “you vote with your dollar.” If we all put our money towards the cheap processed foods, that is what they will create more of. But if we use our money to invest in higher quality foods, then there will be more demand and the suppliers will see that and bring more to market. Although adjusting to whole and real food can feel like a sacrifice at times, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few tips to prioritize health with the food you consume, while being savvy with the resources you have.
First off, prioritize the protein. This is likely the most expensive part of your food budget. But it should not be forgotten. Quality meat provides protein that will sustain your body for longer periods of time and provide healthy fats that our body needs to thrive. In this season of my life as a young married gal, I relate to being on a tight budget. Not all the meat in my freezer is the highest quality from a local rancher. But I do try to spend a percent of my food budget on that kind of quality. The reality is sometimes you have to opt for the “next best” option. That would be buying organic chicken, grass-fed beef from the grocery store, and wild caught seafood. Being aware and conscious of the quality you are buying will help decrease the chemicals and harmful substances that we consume second-hand through lower quality animal meat. Many people would say “Well, they grew up on conventional chicken (or fill in the blank) and they turned out fine.” While that may appear so, we never know what can arise after a build up and years of consumption of these poor quality foods. We also can’t neglect the fact that our food market is not the same quality as it was years ago. It has become highly processed and there are so many chemicals and preservatives allowed, that often don’t get reported. If you are the mom of a bigger family to feed, another budget savvy way to buy quality meat is buying a quarter or half cow from a local ranch. There are many ranches that offer this, it just takes a little research.
The next money saving tip is to shop at the discount stores. The ones that come to mind for me are Winco and Grocery Outlet. Stores like this still have high quality and organic produce options, but may not have as long of a shelf life. While being aware of the expiration and freshness, it can be a cheaper way to buy the fresh items to be consumed that week. In order to avoid much of the unneeded processed foods in these stores, try shopping along the outer perimeter of the store. This is where the fresh foods are kept and will help you avoid the temptation of blowing your budget on bags of chips and boxed meals.
Shopping in bulk is another way to save big. You can do this even if you don’t have a full family to feed. Places like Costco, Sam’s Club, or the bulk section of other grocery stores can help you save money on pantry items like grains and legumes. Buy items in bulk that have a long shelf life. Another perk of this is that you don’t have to go back a week later to restock!
The last budget friendly tip I have for you today is to prioritize home-cooked meals. It does take more effort. But I like to compare the cost. It’s more time on my part, but at least I know exactly what is going into my food. In pre-prepped or boxed meals, there are so many preservatives and chemicals added. And eating out several times a week is much more expensive. If you’re skeptical about this, try doing a cost breakdown of your dinner next time you cook at home. Oftentimes, I spend only $2-$4 per serving, depending on the kind of meat I use. It can be hard to find the energy to plan and prepare a meal after a long day, so try planning out your dinners at the beginning of the week. There are some items that can be prepped on a day off and makes it much easier to pop in the oven when dinner time rolls around.
I empathize with those who say home cooking is impractical and they don’t have the time for it. Don’t feel guilty for going the convenience route once in a while. Sometimes that’s what we need to take some stress off after a long day. It is okay to have those convenient meals that are ready to go with little effort, but I encourage you to find ways that work with you and your family to nourish and fuel yourselves with real whole foods, while making your money go farther.
