5 Ways to Save Money to Eat Healthy on a Budget

Why Healthy Foods Aren’t More Expensive

As a personal trainer, I constantly hear from people how expensive it is to eat healthily. But, I challenge that statement. We all make choices on how to spend our money. Cutting the cost of processed, fast food, and alcohol allows more money to be used on healthier foods. Eating quality foods keeps your body satisfied longer, reducing the craving for unhealthy foods

Here is a list of common indulgences to eliminate to free up more money to use on healthier food options. As Hippocrates said, "Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.":

1. Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most costly indulgences and the main cause of weight gain. This is a conundrum for many people. Every time you go out to dinner, an event, or a party, alcohol and food are available at every turn. Some people enjoy a glass of wine in the evening with dinner. To put this into perspective, one glass of wine every night at dinner adds around 100-200 calories per 5 oz glass, depending on the type of wine you drink. That's an extra 700-1400 calories per week, and 2800-5600 calories per month. You need to eliminate 3500 calories to burn one pound of fat. Cutting alcohol out of the budget will save you anywhere from $60-$200 per month depending on the cost of the wine you buy. That money could go towards buying healthier food. Alcohol also tends to lead to poor eating choices by adding unnecessary calories. I learned that to save money and have a leaner body I had to change my thoughts and habits regarding drinking. I am all about limits, not elimination. I only have 2-4 drinks per month. It’s one way I free up money to feed my body optimally so I can live a long and healthy life. 

2. Going to the movies

Going to the movies is another costly indulgence that could free up money for healthy food. People tell me that it's easy to drop at least $100 or more for two people. Now let's do the math, going to the movies once per week as a couple can cost at least $400 per month. Removing this cost can free up money for healthy food, even if you limit yourself to going to the movies twice per month.

3. Hair and Nails

Getting your hair and nails done is important for self-care. However, it costs roughly $150-$300 every six weeks to maintain color, get a cut, and style. Now let’s add about $30-$50 every two weeks to maintain your nails, that's $60-$100 per month. Over the course of three months between hair and nails that's $480-$900 and the cost can increase depending on where you go. I love to spend money on good healthy food and travel. I color my own hair about every six to eight weeks with a natural hair color that costs $20 and get my hair cut one to two times per year at a salon which costs roughly $100.

4. Shopping

Shopping is a downfall for many women. The obsession with clothes, shoes, purses, technology, video games, tattoos, etc. I challenge you to make a checklist of your monthly expenses in this category to see how much you are spending per month. Reducing this cost can increase money spent on healthier food options. 

5. The boats, luxury cars, jet skis, beautiful homes, etc.

These all look great and make you feel proud, but they are not as important as your health. I don't ever want to hear that healthy food is too expensive. We all make choices that impact our health.

The myth that eating healthy is expensive has just been debunked! I bet most of you probably fall under multiple spending categories. Maybe you never realized how much you are spending per month on "indulgences". If you really want to eat healthier, you can. Remember food is a necessity, especially healthy food. Sometimes we must make changes to our comfort habits. Some people use the excuse that eating healthy is too expensive to avoid creating a new positive habit—because it is not easy to do. If you are someone who says that healthy food is too expensive, I challenge you to add up you’re spending on these items above. I bet you will find savings to account for any additional food costs associated with healthy eating. Remember your health is your wealth.

Originally published for Longboat News