Expensive health foods, steep gym fees, costly workout gear – isn’t it cheaper just to call it a day and go to the drive-thru instead? While the price of being healthy might seem high, it’s possible to eat better, train better and live better without spending a fortune. Here’s how:
1 Keep it simple
Foods like nut butters, almond milk and coconut flour can add interest to your diet, but can add up quickly, too. If you can afford to splurge now and then, go ahead, but clean eating starts with simple foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. You don’t need to shop in the fancy health aisle of your supermarket – stick to the basics and you’ll save money in your pocket and centimetres on your waistline.
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2 Bulk is your friend
Buy in bulk, cook in bulk, then freeze or refrigerate, and enjoy. Not only will buying in bulk help you take advantage of savings, taking an afternoon out of your weekend to do your food prep will help you save valuable time during the week, too. What’s more, when you come home tired from a long day and can’t face cooking, you won’t have to. Simply take out one of your pre-prepared meals and enjoy – no takeaway menu necessary!
3 Go online
While joining a gym can boost your training, if you don’t have the money, don’t worry. The internet is a fabulous resource for free training programmes, particularly on sites such as www.bodybuilding.com. Many personal trainers also post free workouts on their sites, while others even have free training videos on YouTube or Instagram. A little research could help you and your fitness go a long way.
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4 Plan ahead
Food is expensive enough without having it go to waste in the fridge. Avoid having food go off by planning your meals up to a week in advance. Make a list of all the ingredients you’ll need, and stick to it. You’ll have a week’s worth of meals at your disposal and you won’t be tempted by any impulse junk food buys.
Related: 5 Tips for healthy eating in the workplace
5 Keep an eye out for bargains
If you look hard enough, you’ll find savings everywhere. Use store rewards cards, take advantage of special offers and promotions, buy cheaper cuts of meat and stick to seasonal produce – your bank balance will thank you. And when it comes to training, check out local gyms for free boot camps and classes, do bodyweight or conditioning exercises at home, or hit the pavement with Parkrun for free. No money for a mat or weights? A towel will do just fine, and you’ll be surprised how heavy a full water bottle in each hand can be.
Can you really trick your brain into healthy eating? Find out here!
