Eat Well For Less
There are many stages in life…I have been a college student on a budget, and have been a young professional on a budget. Sometime soon, I will most likely become a young couple on a budget, a young family, etc. (you see the pattern…) Being on my own for a few years now has made me a better cook, and have become much more cost-conscious when it comes to the groceries I purchase for myself. I found that I was wasting a lot of money at grocery stores on a fairly regular basis. Some of my favorite items can be expensive, and I lean heavily toward organic meats and produce. Despite this, I found that I could still eat healthy for fairly cheap. Here are some of my favorite affordable items:
Beans and Rice: This is definitely a staple of my diet. Each item by itself is very inexpensive (especially if you get dry beans and cook them yourself), and together they form a complete protein that will substitute for animal protein in your diet.
Guacamole: Easy to make and delicious. The avocado in the recipe I use provides “good” fat for your body. Eat this with pita bread or with chips.
Sardines: I have recently gotten into these. They look gross in the can I’ll admit it. But they taste pretty good, and are an excellent source of fish protein. They also contain far less accumulated mercury than tuna or larger fish.
Eggs: Buy organic eggs and either cook them fresh or hard-boil them. Great source of protein, and you can cook up two or three eggs with only one egg yolk to limit cholestoroal and saturated fat intake. Search your local’s farmers market for eggs around $2/dozen.
Pasta: Inexpensive, easy to make, and good for you. Lean toward the whole wheat varieties if possible. A quick sauce can be made from organic canned tomatoes and spiced up with garlic and other vegetables.
PB&J: A staple of any American child, this classic can be made healthier by using whole wheat bread, and organic peanut butter. Organic jam or fruit preserves are usually available at major grocery stores.
Oatmeal: Super-healthy and really cheap if you make it yourself. Check out this link to make individual oatmeal packets for a fraction of the cost of pre-made oatmeal packets.
Yogurt: Slightly more expensive than other items on this list, organic yogurt aids in digestion, and is easily packed into lunches, or pulled out of the fridge for a quick snack.
Bread with Cheese and Fruit: This is a really easy and inexpensive meal. Get a crusty loaf of bread, a small amount of good cheese, and an apple or some grapes. Eat slowly and enjoy each of these items by themselves or combined. Some of my most memorable meals have been simple loaves of bread, cheese, fruit, and friends!
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