Organic food is more expensive. That’s a myth, but it does require some work to get the best deals on organic produce. It’s possible to eat organic on a budget. If you’re determined, creative, and willing to sacrifice some other things in your life for the sake of eating healthier food, then it is possible. Here are six ways that will help you do just that.
Grow your own food
This is by far one of the most budget-conscious ways to make sure you have access to affordable organic food. Growing your own food makes it so that you know for sure what went into the food you’re eating. This is very important for people concerned about pesticides still being used on crops or people who have allergies to a particular food. It’s also a great way to save money because you can store excess produce for later.
If you’re interested in starting to grow your own food, there are some things to keep in mind. Starting an organic garden cannot happen overnight; it takes time and hard work. It doesn’t cost anything to grow plants either, which is a huge plus. You can get started by choosing the right location for your garden. Next, make sure you know the soil quality of the area before planting anything. Lastly, make sure you take care of your starter plants closely because they might be delicate or susceptible to certain diseases or pests that may need to be treated with pesticides or other measures.
Learn how to cook with what’s affordable
Organic ingredients can be expensive so learn how to rotate cheaper items into your meals while still having them taste delicious. This means learning about different cuts of meat, more affordable produce options like onions or potatoes, and spices or herbs that will make any dish taste amazing without breaking the bank. Plenty of recipes online and cookbooks can help you get started.
Find out which vegetables are best when they’re not in season
Find out which vegetables are best when they’re not in season. Yes, some vegetables indeed taste different when they’re not in season, and you may not like them as much. Still, there are definite benefits to eating out-of-season produce, too. It can be more nutritious and flavorful, and if your budget is tight, this way of eating is perfect for you. If you can learn which ones those are, it’ll help your wallet.
Buy frozen fruits and veggies instead of fresh
Even though people assume that people who eat organic always want everything to be as fresh as possible, this isn’t the case at all times. In fact, buying frozen produce means that you can stock up on things like berries or spinach without it going bad before you have a chance to use them.
When you buy frozen fruits and vegetables, you’re getting a product that’s as nutritious as the fresh variety. Often, the frozen fruits and vegetables have been picked when they were ripe and then frozen immediately to maintain their nutritional value. They’re also a great option if you want to eat healthily but don’t have time to prepare a meal from scratch—many frozen items can be cooked in minutes.
Buy local
Another excellent way for you to save money is to buy locally. You can find farmers’ markets in most areas of the world, and these are great places for you to get cheaper food while knowing exactly where it came from. It’ll be even better if you can buy directly from the farmer. It’s always nice when your food comes straight from the farm. Try using apps like Instacart or Shipt so you don’t have to shop yourself and spend more than necessary which will negate the benefits of buying local in the first place.
Take advantage of discounts
Most people think about coupons when they think about ways to save money, but there are other things like discounts and sales that people forget about. For example, health enthusiasts starting a juice bar business may offer discounts to their customers who are also organic eaters. This way, they can help support one another while getting discounts on healthy food items. Make sure you keep an eye out for sales everywhere, including online, so that you can get the best prices on organic products.
When it comes down to it, eating on a budget can be very difficult when sticking to organic produce. It’s possible but not necessarily easy. If you use these tips, you’ll find that it becomes much easier over time. Once you get used to shopping this way, it won’t feel like any more of a challenge than others types of shopping.
