Losing weight and healthy eating don’t have to be boring or expensive anymore. There are all sorts of options when it comes to creating a healthy diet plan on a budget.
At first it can be difficult to get used to the changes in your eating habits, but once you get the hang of it you’ll never go back. There are plenty of ways to shop that will help you save money. If you don’t know where to start have a read of our tips below to get you started.
Tip 1: Make a Plan
Take time before you go shopping to plan out what you’ll eat for the upcoming week. Research weight loss food that is healthy and tasty too. Stick to the list you’ve made when you’re shopping and you’ll save yourself a lot of time. Picking up unwanted items at the store can be a killer, since spontaneous buys are often high in sugar and fat. Avoid things that aren’t on your list to help keep your weight goals in check. Remember that every little item you put in your trolley adds up on your bank account.
Tip 2: Shop Alone
This tip might not be practical for everyone, but it is worth trying it whenever you can. Shopping on your own lets you concentrate on the best price. You can stick to your healthy diet regiment without anyone adding unwanted treats to your load. And you’ll have time to read the labels which means that you can check exactly what you’re going to be putting into your body.
Tip 3: The Empty Stomach Rule
You’ve heard it before but this is the number one mistake that is so easily rectified if you want a healthy diet to lose weight. Don’t shop on an empty stomach. Your resolve to buy weight loss food over junk food will crumble at the first grumble. If you don’t believe it try it. Go shopping with an empty stomach and compare your purchases to shopping when you’re not waiting for your next meal. You’re guaranteed to notice a difference.
Tip 4: The Perimeter Tour
You might have noticed already that most grocery stores keep the fresh produce on the outer-most walls of their shop. This means you can get your fresh fruit and veggies, meat products, poultry, fish and dairy by following the perimeter aisle. All of these products are essential when you want to maintain a healthy diet to lose weight. You’ll find that once you’ve finished your loop you have the main ingredients for your healthy diet plan without any processed food.
Tip 5: Know your season
If you buy produce that is in season you know it will be fresh, plus it’s usually cheaper. If you’ve got a farmer’s market near you, check it out for the cheapest, freshest food around. If you’re not lucky enough to have a farmer’s market your grocery store will have deals on in-season produce too. Look through cookery books or online to find seasonal recipes. Asparagus and berries are a good summer weight loss foods. Think about cauliflower and oranges during the winter.
Tip 6: Buy Australian
People all around the world go wild for Australian produce, so why shouldn’t we? There’s no need to buy expensive, brand-name products. Here are a couple of examples to help you see the savings. You can save $0.49 on oats per 100gms; $0.69 on milk per 1 liter. These products are just as good as international brands so buy local produce and you’ll find your budget stretches further.
Tip 7: Cut Out The Middleman
The difference between processed foods and whole foods can make a big difference to your diet and your budget. When we talk about whole foods we are referring to the food before it is processed, such as lettuce. If you buy the lettuce whole and use it to make your own salad you can get double the quantity for half the price in comparison to buying a bag of ready-made salad. Of course the savings are great, but the real bonus comes in knowing exactly what went into your product – no hidden chemicals, sugars or preservatives. Try making your own juices, sauces and cereals to improve your healthy diet.
Hopefully this has given your some ideas about how to start improving your diet whilst staying in budget. Remember that at first some of these things might be difficult for you to get used to doing, but if you make a plan, shop on your own and never shop on an empty stomach, as well as trying to buy whole, in-season, Australian produce from the outer-perimeter of the shop you’ll make your shopping experience a lot easier. Get ready to start looking and feeling healthier when you build a healthy diet plan to lose weight.