Between fancy health food stores and gourmet juice bars, it’s no wonder many people believe eating healthy means sacrificing a ton of money. But the truth is, enjoying body-loving foods doesn’t have to mean spending your entire paycheck on groceries. If you don’t get lured in by pre-made raw snacks or go overboard on exotic superfoods, it’s actually pretty simple to eat right on a budget! In fact, once you nix the junk and replace it with more nutritious fare, you can actually save money while fueling your body right. All it takes is a little planning!

So today, we’re sharing three awesome ways to save money at the grocery store. Take a peek…

Buy staples in Bulk

Buying in bulk not only saves money since you’re forgoing the packaging, but it’s also a great way to just get the amount you need. Speaking of packaging, purchasing items in bulk is also eco friendly. Some great items to stock up on include quinoa, nuts, seeds like chia and flax, grains, healthy flours, coffee beans and dried fruit. Perusing the bulk section of the grocery store is also a wonderful way to get inspired to try something new without investing in a large package.

BONUS TIP: If you live alone or are in college, it’s often cheaper to get a serving of leafy greens and a few veggies from the salad bar instead of whole bags, and it’s a simple way to add more veggies to whatever you’re making at home or in your dorm.

Stock up the freezer

If you think frozen produce is less nutritious than fresh, think again! Frozen fruit and veggies tend to be picked at the peak of ripeness and flash frozen right then and there, preserving the nutrients until ready for use. Buying frozen fruit is perfect for smoothies and having a variety of veggies on hand is great for quick meals. Having a well-stocked freezer means you’ll always have something healthy to whip up. Just be sure to read the labels to ensure there are no added sugars or any other ingredients.

Be strategic when buying organic

While going for organic produce is important to many of us, especially when it comes to berries or leafy greens, it’s also good to know that not everything needs to be organic. Tone It Up staples like pineapple, avocado and asparagus happen to contain the least amount of pesticides and are on the Environmental Working Group Clean Fifteen list. This is good news if you’re looking to cut costs!

BONUS TIP: (If in Europe) Head to the Farmer’s Market either first thing in the morning to get the freshest produce, or during the final 15 minutes. This is when many vendors offer deals on produce since they don’t want to pack it all up again for the ride back to the farm.

Do you have some great ways to stay healthy without breaking the bank?

XO Natasha

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