if you think “eating well is expensive”then this interests you, because the Harvard University of the United States published a series of strategies to have a good food on a low budget.
Strategies for eating well on a budget
According to Harvard, create foods nutritious can be cheaper than you might think, since, save on food purchases not only involves finding items on sale or buying cheap products, but also avoid impulse purchases caused by tempting food advertising or shopping on an empty stomach and not wasting food. Therefore, he suggests:
1. Plan some meals
According to experts plan what to prepare to eat in the following days it can help create a grocery list based on specific ingredients and not just non-purpose items.
2. Consider meatless meals
Plant-based proteins are very nutritious and generally more affordable than meat and fish.
However, if you do not wish to eat only fruits and vegetablesHarvard recommends incorporate smaller amounts of meat as a base for flavor or as a seasoning, while focusing on vegetable proteins such as beans, lima beans or lentils. In this way it is possible to save costs, increase the volume of the food, as well as nutrition and flavor.
3. Consume filling snacks
Prefer healthy snacks that cause satiety faster. For example, opt for a few handfuls of walnuts and apples, than a bag of potato chips.
And it is that, although nuts and apples are more expensive than French fries, the former satisfy hunger more quickly and healthily.
In fact, one study found that non-satisfying foods leave people wanting to eat more oftenwhich can translate into higher food costs.
4. Do not shop on an empty stomach
Eating a piece of fruit or some nuts before entering the store will help don’t buy impulsively products of low nutritional value or that are not necessary.
5. Make food last
In case you prefer some foods or find Salesone option is buy extra quantities and freeze them to use them later.
This can be applied to fresh meat, fish and some products such as bananas, berries, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, etc. Also some herbs can be dried or frozen to extend their useful life.
6. Buy basic food not preceded
Although it may cost more up front buy a “family size” package of products like whole grains, lentils, and dry beans, the cost per unit is often cheaper.
7. Prefer generic or own-brand products
exist Generic products or own brands of the establishments They contain the same ingredients and benefits as the name brands, but at a lower cost.
This is because the generic brand spends less money on advertising and creating fancy food labels.
8. Limit the purchase of highly perishable products
Another way to eat well and without spending too much is by not buying more highly perishable items than can be used in a week. It is a form of save money, otherwise you run the risk of food spoiling and wasting.
9. Use what you have
before buying more foodsHarvard suggests taking an inventory of all the food in the kitchen twice a month, to take advantage of the products you already have and plan meals depending on them.
10. Eat mindfully
practice mindfulness during meals it can increase your enjoyment of food, plus you can be satisfied with smaller portions.
Otherwise, eating when distracted can lead to hunger again sooner and higher food intake later on.
