Changing Unhealthy Eating Habits = More Money for Healthy Food

It's true that some healthy foods are more expensive, especially the prepackaged convenience food.  “Real” foods that require cooking at home are actually pretty frugal.  Consider these 25 Foods for $1. Clean eating involves a lot more home food preparation.  that means preparing lunches, cooking dinners, and even buying whole melon rather than pre-cut.

Also consider that while you are purchasing healthy foods, you are changing your habits and NOT buying certain unhealthy foods and beverages.  That money you are saving is what you use to purchase healthy food, some basic, some prepackaged.  Here are some unhealthy food buying habits that can be changed to save money.

• Purchasing a sugary, fattening creamy coffee drink out on the way to work. (estimated cost: $5)
  • Instead make a good cup at home, sweetened it with a little honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.  Add a little cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.  
  • Or switch to herbal tea which is even less expensive. 
• Grabbing a breakfast sandwich of burrito in the morning from a fast-food place.  (estimated cost: $3-$5)
  • Grab a 10 pk of instant steel cut oatmeal for $4 and make 2 weeks of breakfasts for the price of one when you eat out.  Add some honey and some fruit for more flavor.
  •  How about whole grain toast or bagels with natural peanut butter.  
  • Or purchase a box of whole grain pancake mix, and make a double batch on the weekends, put the leftovers in a ziplock and freeze it for easy hot breakfasts throughout the week. 
• lunch out at fast-food, Subway, or a local eatery (estimated cost: $5-$15 each) 
  • Grilled Chicken Avocado Ranch Salad: 2 bags of salad mix greens,  1/2 doz hardboiled eggs, 6 plum tomatoes,  Perdue Shortcuts grilled chicken, 3 avocado, Greek yogurt Ranch Dressing.  That's about $20 for make 6 salads to eat every day for lunch!  Less than $4 for a healthy lunch!
• Weekly purchases of 12 pks of soda, bottles of Gatorade, or whatever sugary drink you enjoy daily.  (estimated cost: $5-10 a week)
  • Water infused with lemons or limes would cost about $2 a week.
  • Herbal Iced Tea:  Tazo Tea is $4 for 6 gallon sized tea bags.  Brew it, cool it, and chill it.  I drink it unsweetened but even if you use agave syrup or honey it's still way cheaper.
• snacks from vending machines and convenience stores.  Full of excess sugar, fat, and salt.  Even if you find something healthy it's going to cost a lot more.   (estimated cost: $1-2 per snack!)  
  • Here are some delicious and great ways to eat your fruits and veggies.
  • Costco is the best for this stuff!  You can buy mixed nuts, dried fruit, snap pea crisps, and more in large containers for a fraction of the grocery store price.

Also, find healthy clean eating foods at discounted prices by simply checking out these 4 places at your local grocery store.  

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