A lot of girls who purchased the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan have messaged me asking about following the plan and eating healthy on a budget.
I’ve also noticed some women in general asking about eating healthy without breaking your bank account.
It’s true that eating healthy in the United States is expensive, but there are ways around it!
The first time I meal prepped for Tone It Up, I freaked out.
I spent so much money on groceries for one week that I thought I would be broke following the plan.
However, over time, I learned how to eat healthy and follow the Tone It Up Nutrition without breaking the bank. For that reason, I wanted to share what I learned in the hopes I can help others eat healthy without worrying about the cost.
Make a plan
Before hitting up the grocery stores, plan what you’re going to eat for the week.
That way you know exactly what you need to buy, and it helps you with the most important part: use the same ingredients.
The key to spending less at the store is using up all the ingredients you’re going to buy.
If you know a lunch recipe calls for bell peppers, try to plan for egg scrambles with bell peppers for breakfast.
That’s just an example, but there are many ways to get creative while using healthy ingredients.
Repeat meals during the week
I know it can get boring to eat the same thing every week, but it will definitely save you money.
My mistake the first time I meal prepped for Tone It Up was that I tried making different meals for every day.
That will really waste your money and food (aka don’t do that!).
Instead, what I do now is plan for 1-2 meals for breakfast, and 3 different meals that I alternate for lunch and dinner.
Instead of having the same thing for lunch every day, I’ll have it for dinner on some days and add some variety to my lunch, and vice versa.
An example of a weekly meal plan for me would be the following:
- Breakfast: overnight oats and smoothies
- Lunch & dinner: turmeric cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, and a lean bowl (think quinoa with lots of veggies and protein)
- Snacks: TIU muffins, TIU protein bar, and homemade trail mix
That’s just an example of an average week for me.
I’m a creature of habit and I’m okay with having the same thing for lunch two days in a row. If that’s not you, though, add a fourth recipe to your lunch/dinner plans but try to make sure it has ingredients you already have at home or are planning on buying.
Research the best stores
Finally, I recommend shopping around to learn which grocery store has the best prices.
In Illinois, Kris and I used to shop at Trader Joe’s, Jewel-Osco, and Caputo’s Fresh Market. I would occasionally go to Whole Foods, but only for things I can’t get anywhere else since it tends to be a bit pricier.
After moving to Miami, we’ve started learning which places we should go to for shopping.
Trader Joe’s is still a favorite (I mean… have you tried their cauliflower gnocchi?), but we learned that Publix is really expensive.
I haven’t been there myself, but I’ve also been told Costco is great if you’re looking to save on groceries.
The best thing you can do is go to different stores and compare prices so you can go with the most cost-effective option.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out your local farmer’s market!
I hope these tips were helpful. I know eating healthy can get expensive but it’s important for your health and energy.
Give it a shot and let me know if you noticed a difference with any of these tips!