Aside from controlling your willpower, dieting can be hard because it becomes a budget constraint. Everyone knows whole foods are much better than anything frozen or processed, but it’s hard to find that happy medium between eating clean and a good price. Here are some secrets on how to find the perfect balance:
#1
The Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15
If you think the key to healthy eating is buying everything organic, you’re mistaken. Some foods, specifically those listed in the Dirty Dozen list, should always be bought organic. If it’s on the Clean 15, it’s safe to buy it non-organic because it doesn’t have a lot of pesticides. Obviously the final decision is up to you, but these lists are just suggestions. And remember, if a Clean 15 item is on sale as organic, it’s okay to buy it!
#2
Utilize your local Farmer’s market
Local produce is not only cheaper, but contains less pesticides because it hasn’t traveled far. Farmer’s markets are the ideal place to buy organic food cheap and ask the farmer’s about their process of growing it.
#3
Join a Community Sponsored Agriculture Group
A Community Sponsored Agriculture Group, typically referred to as a CSA, is directed to local residents who wants to buy organic food directly from the farm it was grown at. If you’re someone who buys produce often and in large amounts, this is a great idea because you can sign up to pay a fee for produce that adds up to being about a fourth of what you would normally pay at the grocery store - with health benefits!
#4
Buy meat on sale and freeze
Do you want to always buy wild caught seafood and organic meat but don’t want to empty your wallet? The secret is to buy it in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze it. Next time you see organic chicken on sale, buy extra and freeze it. But make sure to label the frozen meat and seafood with dates to avoid keeping them too long.
#5
Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are good
If you want food that’s out of season, it’s okay to go canned or frozen! Just make sure you’re still following the Dirty Dozen rules and check the ingredients. A trick - if there is something in there that you can’t pronounce, it probably isn’t good for you.
These 5 tips will lead you to save money and eat clean! It’s not as difficult as it seems and should never be an excuse to cheat on your diet. Go clean, go cheap.
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