Eating healthier is all about getting the right things into your body like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, omega-3-rich foods, legumes and other foods that lower the risk of developing long-term health problems.
At Revite, we are all about challenging the status quo. We want you to rethink the way you do things when it comes to being healthy. For example, did you know your wallet doesn’t have to run for cover if you want to be healthier? Below are some great tips to keep your body and wallet healthy:
- Bulk is best. Consider buying items in bulk that will not expire quickly such as rice, nuts, tea, dried fruit, spices and sugar. Your savings will be huge in the long run as long as you package and store them properly.
- Store it correctly. Always store your vegetables in the allocated space in your fridge. They will stay nicer for longer in there.
- Tis the season. Look for produce that is in season as this is usually the cheaper option. You don’t have to buy avocados when they cost R60 each! You can also buy more in summer and freeze the extras for the winter. Berries freeze especially well.
- Make extra and freeze. If you are cooking in any case, why not make extra servings and freeze for quick dinners in future.
- Let it grow. If you have the space and time, why not grow your own veggie or herb garden? Not only will you have a sense of accomplishment, but you (and the kids) will probably also eat more produce because you grew it yourself!
- Visit Old McDonald. There are some great farmer’s markets in South Africa where you can get beautiful, locally grown produce.
- Bring healthy snacks. Bring them everywhere and anywhere you go. You will be less tempted to stop at a drive-thru or buy chocolate to satisfy your hunger when you have healthy snacks in your car, handbag or desk drawer. Think cheeses, peanut butter, fruit and carrot sticks.
- Buy the types of food you will eat. Food wastage is a huge problem in South Africa and around the world. So, don’t fool yourself by buying foods for the sake of being healthy if it’s just going to go mouldy in your fridge. You can, however, buy more of the healthy foods you do like and freeze it. For example, you can freeze fruit and use it in smoothies.
- Home is where the heart is. You have a choice between restaurant food which is more expensive and higher in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar (albeit convenient) or delicious homemade food with fresh ingredients (which costs you time and effort).
- Rethink protein. South Africans love our meat! But meatier isn’t always better. Rather switch to beans and lentils a few times a week to get your protein in, and as a bonus, you’ll save a lot of money over the year! Legumes are rich in fibre, vitamin B, minerals, and protein! So, bean on! Another great source of protein is omega-3-rich seafood like tinned sardines, tuna, salmon and pilchards. These will make for healthy hearts, brains and eyes.
- Rethink the price of processed foods. The prices of processed items are deceiving. Compare a mix of fresh vegetables to a small bag of frozen vegetables, and you might get the fright of your life. A small bag of frozen vegetables may seem cheap, but price them according to weight, and they cost you a pretty penny! Always try to choose the least packaged and processed option. For example, a pre-washed and pre-packaged salad mix is way more expensive than buying the separate fresh ingredients.
And there you have it, folks! Follow these tips, and your body (and wallet) will thank you.
Adapted from: https://www.meg-3.com/en_ZA/news/10-cheap-and-fast-tricks-to-eat-healthy-without-draining-your-wallet.html