Although they make great occasional indulgences, having them as part of our daily intake is probably not the best idea. Now the thought of eating healthy can certainly seem intimidating but we’re here to assure you that a cleaner diet does not always mean forking out a hefty sum on organic ingredients, smoothie bowls and gourmet salads.
With a little bit of planning and a lifehack or two, making real, nutritious food a priority is actually a lot more accessible than we think. Here are some of our favourite tips on how to foster healthy eating habits on a modest budget.
Plan Ahead
Before you make your way over to the supermarket, map out your shopping strategy for the week by drawing up a meal plan and grocery list. Not only will this cut down your grocery bill by half but it also spares you from making any impulse purchases along the aisles. Whether you’re planning three meals a day for the entire week or are just focusing on packed lunches for the office, prepping and portioning your meals in advance is one of our favourite ways to save on time but it also helps to minimize food waste which is a huge plus.
Board the Online Couponing Train
The internet is a great way to score bargains that you can’t always find in-store; And with so many online grocery stores offering deals and promotions to help you shave a couple more Ringgits off your grocery bill, now is the perfect time to utilise online couponing as part of your regular shopping ritual. Check Saleduck to stay updated on the latest promos and deals from supermarkets, speciality food stores, grocery delivery sites and much more.
Meal Planning
Prepare larger batches of food that you can portion to last you for the week. This saves you from having to make multiple trips to the supermarket where costs can add up and one day of cooking will have you set up for the rest of the week. To make sure you’ve got good, healthy eats on hand every morning, try making superfood-packed breakfasts such as overnight oats or chia pudding that aren’t just easy to make ahead of time, they’re also portable! Prep them all in one go so that you have a pretty and satisfying breakfast waiting for you, even on the busiest days.
Check out this high antioxidant “Wake Me Up” chia pudding recipe. You could change it up everyday by different types of granola or cacao nibs as a healthier alternative to chocolate to soothe your sugar cravings.
Repurpose your Leftovers
To break the routine of eating the same meal over and over again, repurposing your leftovers is a fantastic way to throw in some variety whilst not letting anything go to waste. Leftover roast chicken can be tossed with mixed greens, flavourful nuts , nut butter or homemade dressing to create a vibrant salad; stews can be thickened and stirred into pasta for a hearty, filling dinner and the list goes on. Let your imagination run wild or take to sites like Pinterest and Youtube for inspiration and recipe ideas.
Cut Down on Meat
Meat is often one of the pricier items in your grocery cart so opting to reduce your meat intake can definitely help lower your expenditure and it’s also good for you and for the environment. From flavourful veggie burgers to rich casseroles, there are plenty of meat-free dishes you can whip up on the cheap to kickstart your meatless foray such as quinoa and chickpea based vegan burger patties. These are packed with protein and also a healthier source of carbohydrates especially for those who are gluten free.
For the carnivores, this is the easiest way to ease yourself into it by going meatless at least once or twice a week and increase that number as you get more accustomed to it.
Hit the Supermarkets at the End of The Day
One of our favourite ways to score bargains whilst shopping for groceries is to make a trip to the supermarket in the evening, A lot of grocery stores and supermarket chains tend to reduce the prices of perishables like vegetables and meat towards closing so this can be a good time to snag deals on fresh produce.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text="About Leanna Seah" font_container="tag:h3|text_align:left" use_theme_fonts="yes"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="31904" img_size="medium"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="3/4"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text]
Leanna is a content marketer for Saleduck and full-time cheese appreciator.
She likes apricots very much.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]