5 ways to stay healthy on a budget
Whether you lead a busy lifestyle or are a bit strapped for cash, it can sometimes be tricky to keep on top of being healthy. With a more effective time and money management strategy in place though, you will find that living a healthy life is actually no bother whatsoever.
While it is true that certain shops charge more for particular health food products than others, that’s not to say you can’t be super savvy and shop around for the best deal. Just because your monthly budget is a little lower than normal doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on quality.
In fact, you will find that the cheapest foods aren’t always the most unhealthy. But simply scouring the shops for the best deal isn’t the only way to stay healthy on a budget. Here are a few others:
Supermarket loyalty cards and coupons
Many supermarkets offer free loyalty cards to their customers, which allow them to rack up points each time they make a purchase. Collectively, the points can be redeemed on future sales, helping customers to cut back on spending.
What’s more, it’s a good idea to look out for coupons showcasing the best deals and latest offers, such as buy one get one free or three for the price of two. Coupons often have expiry dates, so be sure to make use of them before they run out.
Health apps
Living in a tech-savvy generation, many people now turn to mobile health apps in a bid to keep track of their health.
With a plethora of health apps out there, it’s important to choose the one that will be the most beneficial to you. If you want to keep in tune with your body, rather than solely counting the number of calories you consume in a day, Well One is the one for you.
The app works to measure your body, feelings and lifestyle to produce a unique Health Score. This enables you to stay up-to-date with your exercise, nutrition, stress, sleep, body values and mental wellbeing, which in turn will help you to make lifestyle choices that are beneficial to both you and your wallet.
Workout for free
It’s true that gym memberships can be expensive, but don’t be fooled into thinking that going to a gym is the only way of exercising. There are many ways in which you can stay in shape for free.
Fitness instructors post short videos online that you can stream or download free of charge, so why not do a mini workout in the comfort of your home?
Not just this, but it’s also worth calling your local health and fitness centre to find out about the classes they hold. While some require a small fee for taking part, others are based on a first come first served basis and cost nothing at all.
Don’t shop on an empty stomach
It’s known that shopping on an empty stomach will lead to you buying more items than you would normally, and probably plenty of items that you know you shouldn’t. This means that you are likely to impulsively pick up a range of unhealthy treats to try and satisfy your cravings.
While this might seem like a good idea at the time, you’ll find that you end up spending more money and being left with the effects of an unhealthy meal — such as feeling lethargic — afterwards.
To avoid this, make sure you go food shopping on a full stomach. That way, you won’t be inclined to purchase foods that leave you with short-term satisfaction. You’ll also save a lot more money in the long-run.
Freeze food
If you’re worried about fresh, healthy food going out-of-date quickly, one idea is to make meals in batches and then freeze them. This means that you’re getting the most out of your ingredients without them going to waste.
You can also save money by keeping meals for longer, rather than buying new ingredients every time you come to cook. What’s more, freezing food is extremely time-efficient, which is great if you lead a busy lifestyle.