How To Eat Clean and Organic on a Budget
As more and more people set out to live healthier lives, it’s becoming more apparent that health is directly linked to not only what we eat, but the quality of what we eat.
Commercial meats are plagued with growth hormones, antibiotics, cluttered and unsanitary conditions, and inflammatory diets fed to the animals reducing the quality of the meat and potentially causing harm to those who eat it. Then there’s commercial produce, sprayed down with toxic, potent chemicals that then get into our systems – again, potentially causing us harm.
Before I go on, let me take a minute to introduce myself. I’m Nicole, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist whose specialty is helping others live anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting, low-toxin lifestyles. If this resonates with you, then keep on reading.
We’ve been told that eating organic is the best way to ensure that we’re getting the highest quality, purest meats and produce, but there’s just one problem – the cost.
If you’re like me, you have every desire and intention to eat the cleanest meats and produce, but you’re also very much on a budget. For a long time, I thought my only options were to either spend an obscene amount of money on food each week or to compromise my health by buying food that was affordable but potentially filled with harmful substances. Well, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to do either. I’ve developed a few tricks to keep my weekly grocery expenses down while filling my home with the best foods I possibly can, and now I’m sharing with you how you can do the same.
Compare grocery store prices
This first tip might be a no-brainer, but I feel like it’s worth mentioning since many of us tend to fall into routines and stick with them. Where you shop for groceries might be one of those routines that’s worked for you for so long that you haven’t second guessed it – and you might be overpaying for groceries as a result.
Depending on where you live, you might have one, two, or even ten grocery stores and food markets nearby. The first thing you can do to cut the cost of eating organic is compare how much these stores are charging for organic groceries. For instance, when I was pregnant, I got into the habit of doing all my shopping from Whole Foods because I could order online and pick up the groceries when they were ready. This was a convenient option when I was nauseas and exhausted, but it became part of my weekly routine even after I was feeling better – and it was expensive! Right up the street from my local Whole Foods is Trader Joe’s, and their prices are far more affordable for us, so once I was feeling back to myself, I switched up my weekend routine and started making the trip to Trader Joe’s. It’s saved us about $100 per week on average!
If you don’t have many grocery stores nearby and you’re feeling like you’re paying too much, consider Thrive Market. Thrive Market is an online grocery store that will deliver clean, organic groceries right to your door at wholesale prices. I’ve used them myself and love them! I highly recommend Thrive Market if you’re looking for better prices on specialty brands that can run expensive in most stores. If you want to learn more about Thrive Market, click here.
Shop seasonal produce
Shopping in season is always going to be cheaper. A quick google search can help you determine what produce is in season based on the time of year we’re in. Just use that list to make your fruit and veggie selections at the grocery store and you’ll notice the prices are far lower than the produce that’s out of season.
Another big issue with food cost is waste – when you shop in season produce, you’re far less likely to have food that’s quickly spoiling or just tasting off, which, at least in my house, has led to a ton of waste in the past. In-season produce is going to be cheaper, taste better, and last longer. As a bonus, it’s also going to offer you additional health benefits since it’s richer in nutrients.
Buy Frozen Organic as Much as Possible
If you compare the cost of fresh produce to frozen, your mind will literally be blown. The crazy thing is, frozen produce is often better for you because it’s flash frozen at its peak, meaning it’s likely more nutrient dense than the fresh items. Stocking your freezer with organic frozen veggies and fruit will not only save you some money upfront, but because it’s not going to spoil so quickly you don’t have to worry about the cost of potential waste.
Eat more plant-based meals
Let’s face it, meat is expensive – especially high quality, organic meat. Eating high quality meat and fish daily can get pricey fast and one way to lower the cost of your grocery bill is to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet.
Plant-based proteins like beans and lentils are incredibly affordable (year-round!) and are often very filling. They’re also super versatile and can act as a meat replacement in all kinds of meals. Dedicating even one or two nights per week to plant-based meals will not only have health benefits but will also save you money in the long run. Click here for some plant-based recipe inspo!
Subscribe to Butcher Box for meat
When my husband and I first sat down to look at what we were spending on groceries and how to cut costs, we were blown away by how much we were spending on meat each week for just the two of us. To incorporate high quality, organic meat into our meals about 4-5 times per week we were literally adding hundreds of dollars to our grocery bill, and that just wasn’t sustainable long-term.
We did two things to get the cost down. First thing we did was the tip I mentioned previously – we incorporated more plant-based meals. The second thing we did was start a Butcher Box subscription. Butcher Box is an online market that allows you to choose from a curated box of meats and seafoods or build your own. The meat and seafood are organic, grass-fed, wild caught – all the things – and it’s delivered straight to your door! We ordered the customized big box and within days had a freezer full of high-quality protein that would last us all month long for a fraction of what we would’ve paid at the grocery store. If you want to learn more about Butcher Box, click here.
In short, there are ways around spending outlandish money on organic, high-quality meats and produce. Comparing grocery store prices, shopping in season, eating more plant-based, and incorporating online services such as Thrive Market and Butcher Box have saved me hundreds on groceries every month and can do the same for you. For more tips on prioritizing your health without breaking the bank, subscribe below and get your FREE anti-inflammatory guide delivered straight to your inbox!
Until next time…
-Nicole