If you’re like many people, you could stand to lose a little weight. You also know that if you want to lose those last 25 pounds, your best option is to add more healthy foods to your meals.
But, you’re on a budget and rising food prices make it very difficult to eat a balanced diet. Who wants to pay $5.00 for a ½ cup of blueberries?
Instead of throwing your arms in the air and grabbing that big bag of greasy chips, there are a few things you can do to lose weight while on a budget.
Double Up on Vegetables
Vegetables have tons of fiber and loads of nutritional value. And vegetables are not only essential for weight loss, but also for your overall health. Most vegetables are very cheap when they’re in season, so they’re the perfect food for the frugal shopper.
So, load up your shopping cart with cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
Buy Local
“Buy Local” isn’t just a cool mantra that helps your local farmers thrive. It also helps you stay on budget.
When produce is flown to your area from thousands of miles away, there is going to be a cost involved. Sometimes an enormous cost.
No matter what state you live in, there are plenty of local options when it comes to healthy food.
So, head over to that Farmer’s Market you’ve been meaning to visit and load up on those tasty fruits and vegetable.
Make Your Own 100-Calorie Snacks Packs
You’ve seen those 100-calorie junk food packets in your grocery store. But, why spend the money eating a teeny, tiny bag of tasteless pretzels?
Instead, make your own 100-calorie snack packs. Not only will you save money, you also make sure that your snacks are good-tasting and good-for-you as well.
Cook at Home
Obviously, McDonald’s has made its fortune by tempting you to drive-through their Golden Gates for a quick hamburger and fries.
But, we all know that fast food is never a good option when trying to lose weight.
When you prepare your meals at home, it helps you focus on planned shopping lists and recipes which are healthier and more cost-effective than eating out.
Better yet, many studies suggest that planning out your meals for the entire day, helps you lose weight.
So, instead of thoughtlessly grabbing a big burrito from Chipotle, put a little thought into what you are going to eat.
Consume Less Total Calories
This might be obvious but needs to be stated. Consuming fewer calories is going to help you lose weight.
But, it’s also going to make a big difference in your pocketbook as well. When you eat less food, you buy less food. And when you buy less food, you spend less money.
So, the next time you’re debating about buying that big container of potato salad from your local deli, focus on the cost as well. Do you really want to spend the money on food that’s only going to pack on the pounds? Probably not.
Final Thoughts
It can seem like when you’re on a budget, losing weight is impossible. But, there are ways to solve the problem.
Most importantly, be thoughtful about what you eat. If you plan out your meals in advance, you’ll find that not only do you lose weight, but you save money as well. And who wouldn’t like that?
