How To Eat Organic on a Budget
Probably the biggest complaint about eating organic is the cost. With most people living paycheck to paycheck nowadays, this is a valid concern if you want to be able to live beyond the dinner table. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to enable you to eat healthier, organic foods even if you’re on a tighter budget.
Buy organic foods that can be used in multiple dishes.
To get the most bang for your grocery buck, you want to buy organic foods you’ll use the most. This requires creating a meal plan for the days ahead. A quick Internet search can provide a multitude of recipes for any organic food out there (like these vegan soups made from ingredients you may already have).
For instance, if you buy organic leeks, you could plan to make sautéed leeks one night for dinner and add them to your favorite homemade soup the next. Not only will this help you save money and reduce waste, but it also inspires you to be more creative in the kitchen.
Only buy what you need.
Sticking with the notion that reduced food waste equals money saved, only buy the amount of organic foods that you’re likely to use while they are still fresh and loaded with nutrients. Some grocery retailers may try to get you to buy in larger bundles, but you can always ask about purchasing lesser amounts. If they value your business, they’ll accommodate.
Another way to accomplish this goal is to buy your organic foods at a farmer’s market. This way, you only purchase the amount you need and there’s no hassle in doing it. Frozen veggies, too, are a great alternative. They're still packed with nutrients.
Look for deals via grocery store ads.
You know those grocery ads that you receive in your mailbox each week? The ones you toss out without giving them so much as a scan? Well, actually taking the time to look through them could potentially save you a lot of cash when it comes to organic foods.
Specifically, look for weekly deals offered on organics options and then plan your meals around them. Don’t be afraid to check ads for other stores that you don’t normally shop at, too. You may find that saving cash is as simple as shopping in a different venue.
Use discounted home delivery options.
Home delivery of your favorite organic foods can save you money and time, especially if you live far away from a store that sells these items. Plus, some home delivery companies offer organic and GMO-free products at an affordable, reduced rate, allowing you to save even more by using this type of service.
This enables you to provide healthier foods for you and your family without trying to find time in your busy schedule or extra cash to do it. That’s a true win-win.
Change your perspective.
Even using these suggested tips, the reality is that eating organic foods is likely to increase your grocery bill a certain amount. However, it helps to keep this cost in perspective by considering the medical expenses you could be paying if you choose to eat foods loaded with pesticides and other unnatural ingredients instead.
Sometimes eating higher quality foods can even reverse medical conditions, like it did for one New York woman. In this case, Jil Larsen was diagnosed with a skin condition and used integrative nutrition and juicing to help banish it for good. Just imagine what her medical bills would be like if, instead of eating healthy, her condition required regular medical visits and expensive medications. They can add up quickly.
In other words: You can certainly eat cheaper if you don’t eat organic, but is it really worth it?
