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Many have the misconception that eating healthy is expensive. But if you map out your meals and only buy what you plan to eat at the grocery store, you can reduce costs and make healthy eating more affordable.
Healthy eating and regular exercise are important steps to stay fit and Stop Cancer Before It Starts! Eating lean meats and vegetables and reducing salts and sweets in your diet keeps your body healthy and your immune system strong. This not only reduces your risk of cancer, but improves your overall health.
Here are a few tips I live by to eat healthy on a budget for lunch:
- Balance: Eat a combination of lean proteins, carbohydrates and veggies or fruit for lunch. This
will keep you fueled for the rest of the work day. - Eat out sparingly: Bringing a meal from home might not seem as glamorous as eating out every day, but this the easiest way to save money and eat healthy. Not only do you spend less, but you have control over portion size and nutrition. Making food at home can be fun. Create adventurous salads or zesty new sandwiches!
- Shop mindfully: Plan your meals in advance and never go shopping hungry. Buy generic. Generic brands have very similar products for a fraction of the cost. Look for items sold by the pound rather than in a package. For example, the deli counter is usually cheaper than pre-packed deli meats.
- Buy in bulk: Snack-sized packages are convenient to grab and go, but are often expensive. Buy in bulk and package daily portions for yourself. This will save you a bundle of cash. Swap out convenience for bulk and see how much you can save.
- Bring leftovers: When you prepare dinner, plan in advance to have leftovers for lunch. If you are not a
fan of eating the same meal twice, repurpose your leftovers into a new meal. Grilled chicken can be added to a wrap, and leftover quinoa can be mixed into a new salad. The options are endless. If you are worried about not eating all your food before it expires, put it in the freezer to extend the shelf life. - Spice it up: Make heathier versions of your favorite wraps, salads, quinoa and sandwiches by adding crunchy vegetables and trying new spices or spreads.
This week, try out some of these inexpensive, healthy tips for lunch. Make eating healthy a daily habit and start reducing your risk for cancer today. Learn more about how to reduce your risk at preventcancer.org.
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