Eating healthy is essential for your body and mind. It can make a huge difference to your weight, waistline, tummy and your sleep cycle. Moreover, the food one consumes directly impacts one’s mood and one’s thinking ability. It is the reason around 68% of individuals prefer to be on a healthy diet.
But at the same time, every individual faces financial struggles. Events like business loss, job loss, layoffs or low-income jobs directly impact healthy eating goals. It is because arranging for healthy food items while meeting liabilities gets challenging.
Processed foods might seem the best option for one on a strict budget, time and hunger. However, relying on these for a long can affect your health largely. They may be delicious and fulfilling but do not add to your health.
Thus, whether you are on your own, raising a family with kids, or on a budget, you can follow a healthy diet plan. The best step to do so is to analyse your eating habits and replace them with home-cooked meals. The more you focus on fresh and unprocessed food, the healthier your diet will be. It is because eating healthy is more than just the food costs.
The blog lists the best ways to follow a diet plan despite unfavourable financial circumstances. It is an ideal read for unemployed individuals struggling to ensure a sound body and mind.
6 Tested ways to eat healthy on low income
According to experts, “meal planning is one of the best ways to save money at stores.” The expert further suggests picking two to four meals with diverse protein types, grains, and vegetables. It will help you avoid unnecessary expenses on eating out. There are other ways to eat affordably.
1) Cook large meals and use leftovers
Cooking meals can help save you money and time. Leftovers are ideal for office lunch. You can also use them with burritos, soups, stews, etc. It is great to have leftovers when you are on a budget. It prevents you from spending more on fresh ingredients. With leftovers, you only need to prepare for the dinners. However, check the quality of leftovers before consuming them. Avoid doing so if it smells foul.
2) Buy whole foods over processed ones
You may not believe it, but some foods are more affordable in the whole form than processed ones. For example, you may find a block of cheese affordable over a shredded one. Similarly, you may check oats and brown rice. These are economic foods for healthier living.
Most dieticians stress the raw form more than the processed one. The latter contributes to weight and restricts one from achieving a healthy body.
What could be better than having a toned body without spending much?
3) Identify cheap but best protein options
Protein is an important component of a balanced diet and low-carb diet. It helps strengthen muscles and promotes elasticity. However, the market shares multiple protein shakes, powders and other options. Not everyone can afford the best option. This is because these are usually costly. Thus, if on budget, check the best alternatives for a particular protein shake. You may spot ample. Identify the price difference and tally the ingredients. If you find it almost similar but at a low price, opt for that.
Apart from shakes, rely on natural protein sources like- eggs, meat, fish, beans, and lentils to promote a healthy body. You can prepare dishes with eggs, like- vegetable omelettes, frittatas, etc.
4) Purchase frozen fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits, berries and vegetables are usually available seasonally and thus can be expensive. Thus, you can purchase frozen stuff. It is cheaper and lasts longer if you store the items in large bags. It is helpful when creating untimely smoothies, oatmeal toppings, and yoghurt.
Moreover, you only take it out when you need to use it. Track the produce and stock before purchasing more. It may prove an unnecessary expense. Try to reduce the wastage of food as much as you can. It also contributes to savings.
5) Join a community garden or grow veggies
Growing your produce is good if you never want to lose on items and save money. Moreover, by having your garden, you can rely on the freshness of the produce. You can grow tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, potatoes, sprouts and more. Homegrown produce tastes a lot better than one from supermarkets.
If you lack sufficient space for a mini garden, join a community garden. It is a place where the owner encourages everyone to grow fresh produce and reap a reward for the same. Thus, you can spot different vegetable types there. Moreover, you can grow vegetables by purchasing a plot there.
6) Identify coupons and discounts on fresh products
The best way to encounter and benefit from discounts is- by visiting newly opened stores. You may spot vegetables, fruits, milk and other stuff at discounted rates there. It is because such stores launch offers until the first month of the launch.
You may fill up your shelves with affordable and good quality stuff. Moreover, do not forget to check out coupons you may get by purchasing an item. If you find the offer lucrative, grab it immediately. Sometimes, there is no next time.
However, if you don’t spot any coupons and get a whopping bill, check other ways to finance it. Most individuals avoid asking for help and seek other ways to manage it individually. If you can relate, options like unemployed loans with no guarantor requirement may meet the purpose. It is natural to run out of cash with a low income, no matter how hard it is to budget. Certain costs may surprise one at the billing time. You can finance the rest of the amount using the facility. The best part about the loan is that you do not need to tell anyone about it.
Discounts and coupons help you cut costs drastically. Be it a small or whopping one, you must leverage it to buy things affordably.
Bottom line
Thus, eating healthy is possible despite low income or unemployment. You need a plan and strategy to rationalize it. The above tips may help you frame one for your needs. Check for discounts, buy generic brand products, and rely on items you can store fresh for a long. It balances your healthy diet. Additionally, avoid processed food at all. It may hamper your goals to lose some weight.