Want to stay healthy? Make healthy choices for every meal.
And while that’s simple advice, it’s the follow up that becomes the tricky part of the process.
Have you ever stood in the kitchen at dinnertime, realizing ordering a pizza is a whole lot easier than whipping up a meal? Of course! We’ve all done it.
The key to eating healthy, and staying on a budget in the process, is to be prepared. If you have the ingredients right there on your pantry shelves, you’re more likely to take action and cook dinner instead of ordering it.
Stock Whole Ingredients
Whole ingredients never go out of style. The more you cook, the more you’ll realize you use certain foods over and over again. You’ll use onions and carrots and garlic. You’ll use pasta and legumes and beans. You’ll use tomatoes and garlic and lots of spices. Make sure your pantry is filled with these things, and you’ll always be able to whip up a nutritious meal without having to run to the store.
Buy Bulk
Have you ever shopped the bulk aisle at Whole Foods, co-ops, or your favorite natural store? You can buy grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and other bulk products in larger quantities at a reduced price. If you properly store these goods, they can last for months on your shelves, while keeping the costs down at the same time.
Shop Farmers Markets
You’ve heard the term “eating locally.” By finding local farmers markets, you can eat the best fruits and vegetables that are in season. Foods taste better when they are fresh, picked ripe and moved to your local farmers market within days rather than weeks during normal supply changes. This will ensure the nutrition is also at its peak.
Freeze Overflow
Go ahead and buy extra spinach or kale. Buy an extra basketful of berries. If you can’t eat them all right away, throw them in the freezer. A well stocked freezer means you’ll have lots of the good stuff to throw in a blender and make your own smoothies, or have high quality vegetables to add to your next favorite meal.
What are your tips for eating healthy?