How does that old saying go… Champagne taste on a beer budget? Sounds about right. Food is the way we fuel our mind and body. Ask yourself this- would you rather be sustaining your body on BBQ Chips or a kale salad? BBQ chips sound way more appealing, but the nutritional value is slim to none. I know that as you go through the check out line at the grocery store making smart choices seem like a bad idea as the bill starts to rack up quickly. Below I’ve listed some of my favorite tips to eating the best you possibly can without draining your bank account.

1. Shakelogy- Dense Super Food Nutrition. I’ve written a blog post about this  miracle shake in the past, however, its worth a second mention. I know that the price tag can seem overwhelming at first, but when you really look at the ingredients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc.) it truly is a bargain. At just around $4 a day, Shakeology costs less than a number 4 at McDonald’s.
2. Buy fresh produce in season & freeze it.  I love to stock up on my favorites throughout the spring/summer when the prices are low. Farmers markets are my best friend. I buy several dozen ears of corn, freeze, then eat throughout the winter. Cheap and it tastes great. Strawberries for $4.99 a lb? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
3. Meal Prep- Plan out your meals and snacks for the week before going to the grocery store. This avoids grabbing random things as you walk down the aisle, plus you can look for sales/deals ahead of time. Heck, you can even plan your meals around what’s on sale.
4. Branch out on trying less expensive cuts of meat- The crock pot can do wonders for tougher cuts and a bit of seasoning goes a long way. Another tip, buy value packs of chicken or beef and freeze whatever you aren’t going to eat that week.
5. Beans, Beans, the magical fruit. Stock up on black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans. They are so inexpensive & they bulk up any meal. A big pot of Turkey Chili can last for days. Other tasty whole grains are brown rice and quinoa. Buy whole foods!
6. Re purpose leftovers- Use the chicken from last nights dinner to make a to die for grilled chicken salad for lunch the next day. We have all eaten 4 day old slices of pizza in college, so why not use the same tactic with our healthy meals? Check out this blog for more awesome ideas.
7. Cook at home! Avoid splurging by going out to eat during the week and save it as a special weekend treat or date night. My husband and I love to cook together. Making dinner carves out time for us to catch up and just enjoy each others company.
8. Buy Generic Brands- I promise that 98.9% of the time the generic brand tastes just as good as the “real thing” and the price is half as much. The only thing I wouldn’t go generic on is toilet paper. Sad, but true.
9. Drink more H20- Thirsty Thursday has a whole new meaning. The benefits of water are endless. Oh and water is FREE (in most cases). Soda and juice are crazy expensive & loaded with terrible ingredients. To add some variety to your water try adding blueberries, lemon, lime, or mint.
10. GROW YOUR OWN FRUITS AND VEGGIES- My favorite tip by far. If you are in an area where you can have a garden, DO IT. I added mushroom soil to my garden last year and it delivered Great Dane sized sweet potatoes. Seeds are cheap and you get to literally watch the whole “farm to table” aspect come to life. Nothing is more gratifying than watching your garden grow. They even made nursery rhymes about it…

Stay tuned for my go-to grocery list. In the meantime, Happy Shopping!

Email: vphillifitness@gmail.com

Shakeology