10 Tips for Healthier Eating
- Wellness Society
- Mar 21, 2019
- 4 min read
I know it doesn’t feel like it, but eating healthier is totally feasible! It is just like everything else in life that truly matters... it requires purpose and planning. Give these tips and tricks a try and see if you find it easier to eat healthy and maintain a budget!
Here are my top 10 tips to eating healthy!
1. Buy produce that is IN season
According to Food Hero here is a guide to seasonal produce:
Bananas*, Garlic, Mushrooms, Onions, Potatoes are usually for sale year round at a steady price.
January: Beets, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Grapefruit*, Kale, Oranges - navel*, Winter squash
February: Cabbage, Grapefruit*, Kale, Oranges - navel*, Winter squash
March: Grapefruit*, Oranges - navel and valencia*
April: Asparagus, Grapefruit*, Oranges - navel and valencia*, Rhubarb
May: Asparagus, Grapefruit*, Kale, Lettuce, Oranges - navel and valencia*, Rhubarb, Spinach
June: Apricots, Asparagus, Avocados*, Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cherries, Kale, Lettuce, Peas, Oranges - valencia*, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer squash
July: Apricots, Avocados*, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cherries, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Nectarines, Oranges - valencia*, Peaches, Peas, Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer squash, Tomatoes
August: Apples, Avocados*, Beets, Bell Peppers, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilies, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Grapes, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Melons, Nectarines, Oranges - valencia*, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Raspberries, Spinach, Summer squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon
September: Apples, Beets, Bell Peppers, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilies, Corn, Eggplant, Grapes, Green Beans, Kale, Kiwi, Lettuce, Melons, Pears, Plums, Spinach, Summer squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Winter squash
October: Apples, Beets, Bell Peppers, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Chilies, Corn, Eggplant, Grapes, Kale, Kiwi, Lettuce, Melon, Pears, Pumpkin, Spinach, Summer squash, Tomatoes, Winter squash
November: Apples, Beets, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Eggplant, Kale, Kiwi, Lettuce, Pears, Pumpkin, Spinach, Winter squash
December: Beets, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Grapefruit*, Kale, Oranges - navel*, Spinach, Winter squash
2. Plan your meals
It goes without saying that planning anything makes it better. Don't just wing it. Plan your meals, save some money AND eat healthier! Pinterest is GREAT for meal inspo and planning. Check out my Plant Based board for some ideas!
3. Buy Organic, WHEN it counts!
Use the EWG Dirty Dozen | Clean Fifteen as your organic guide. Usually if it has a skin (bananas, avocados etc.) we don't buy organic. When organic is just WAY out of our price range, we make sure that we clean our produce really well!
Check out my previous post on how to make your own veggie wash!
4. Buy frozen fruits and veggies
They are still nutritious AND great to have on hand for quick meals and smoothies!
We mainly use frozen fruits and veggies for our smoothies, but sometimes its great for a quick stir fry too.
Go to Green Smoothie:
Spinach and/or Kale (when this is BOGO we get 4 and freeze 2)
Strawberries (these little things get expensive!)
Bananas (when our fresh nanas start to go bad, we freeze them just for this!)
Mango or Pineapple
Blueberries (sometimes- it will turn your smoothie purple)
LIVEFIT Powder (this is a plant based mommas dream!
5. Stock up on BOGO's {buy one get one free}!
I'm not a name brand whore like my husband. I prefer Publix greenwise over the competition. The taste is just as good and the price is better! Trader Joe's brand and Sprouts is on point too. Have not met one thing that doesn't do it for me! So when they have BOGO's that we use on a regular basis (bagged spinach, pineapple, pasta, hummus etc.), we stock up. At most stores, if they are out, you can get rain checks.
No reason to miss out on money saving.
6. Buy in bulk, but only for things you ALWAYS use
Having a bulk store card (BJ's, Costco etc) ain't free, so make sure that if you do have one,
you use it wisely:
Buy things that you have storage space for
Buy practical items for your meal planning
Buy things you use regularly (we buy school/baseball snacks, canned beans, frozen fruit and spices)
7. Don't buy beverages
Drink more water!! Not only are sodas, teas and lemonades more money, they are more calories! You NEED water, you don't need those high sugar/high calorie drinks.
Ditch the store bought drinks and add lemon or ACV to your water for flavor AND a health boost! We use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar {raw, unfiltered, with the mother}!
I am so used to the way it tastes now {it IS an acquired taste, btw.}
8. Repurpose ingredients and veggie scraps
Don't let food go to waste, use those leftovers! Make a new meal with leftover sides etc.
Did you know that you can regrow your veggie scraps?! Well, not all of them, but a lot! Romaine, Celery and Green Onions are my go to. Take the ends of the green onions, celery or romaine and stick it in a cup of water. Give it a few days, and you will have new growth!
Use your veggies scraps and make your own veggie broth! I've been doing this for years! Check out my previous post on how to make your own veggie broth!
9. Ditch the meat
Obviously I am biased, but ditching the meat will save you money and help you live a healthier life. Even if you ditch it a day or two a week, you are doing yourself a favor {and your budget}.
There are SO many really good plant based alternatives. So if you really need meat, try one of those until you can get accustomed to a straight up "meatless" meal. Check out my Pinterest Board, Plant Based for inspiration.
We like:
Sweet Earth
Amy's
Gardein
But we try not to eat too much of them. They usually have soy and use plant oils.
Moderation is key!
10. Pack your lunch, don't eat out
Ok, this obvious, but it had to be said, right?
If you make your own lunch then:
you KNOW what is in your food
you are not wasting leftovers
you are saving money
you are controlling your caloric intake
you are being healthier!
Would you add anything to this list?
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