Clean Eating Challenge: Clean Eating on a Budget (Day 22)

This is a part of my 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge Article Series! Read about the challenge and see all of my posts HERE!

Two of the biggest challenges to eating clean are time and money. Yesterday I talked to you guys about how to manage your time, and today’s post is about how to save money and still eat clean!

Organic vs. Nonorganic

It’s up to you whether or not organic foods make sense on your budget. There are certain foods that do not need to be organic — such as bananas and watermelons — because they you peel/cut them and the pesticides aren’t sprayed directly on what you eat. Apples, celery, nectarines and the like you may want to buy organic if it makes fiscal sense. Otherwise, look for sales and specials for non-organic produce.

Fewer Grocery Store Trips

Going to the store requires gas, and gas is expensive. Here’s how to go to the grocery store less often:

• Homemade frozen food is your best friend! The frozen food you buy at the store is loaded with sodium and artificial ingredients, and is often high in calories. Not to mention that it’s often more expensive to buy TV dinners than to make something by scratch in bulk and freeze it. You can freeze homemade soups, veggie burger patties, and other homemade foods.
• Buy whole wheat bread in bulk and freeze if you’re a sandwich fan. Sandwiches are easy, versatile, and cheap.
• Eggs, milk, fruits and veggies may be harder to keep for long periods of time, but you can freeze fruit before it goes bad and add it to smoothies.
• Stock up on Oats. Oatmeal is a hearty, filling breakfast and if you buy old-fashioned or steel-cut oats and top it with honey, sliced fruit, and nuts, it’s delicious and cheaper than buying the instant kind. You can also make peanut butter bites and cookies with oats, along with a bunch of other easy, great recipes!
• Plan ahead. Meal planning is key to cutting down on grocery store trips, and it’s easier to budget since you won’t be buying unnecessary ingredients that will end up spoiling.

Substitute Oils, Spices, and Sweeteners

Specialty clean eating ingredients like agave and coconut oil can be pricey. I substitute honey for agave and olive oil for coconut oil, and it’s worked so far! I don’t do fresh spices, either — they go bad too easily — with the exception of the occasional package of mint leaves for my detox fruit water.

So if something is dramatically out of your price range, skip it! There’s probably a cheaper alternative that’s still clean eating approved.

See you guys tomorrow!