Contrary to popular belief, affordable healthy eating is 100% possible. There’s a common misconception about how costly it can be to eat healthy. Fortunately, affordable healthy eating is obtainable no matter the number in your bank account – that’s a WIN. There are a lot of healthy food products on the market that can cost quite a bit more, however, that does not mean you need those products in your pantry in order to eat an abundance of whole foods. The Tacoma Boys guide to affordable healthy eating is here to show that healthy eating is within reach no matter the circumstance!
Affordable Healthy Eating is Accessible
“So you’re telling me affordable healthy eating is within my reach?!” – The answer is yes! Consuming an abundance of whole foods is a crucial part of anyone’s diet. What you put into your body plays an important role in your immune system, energy levels, sleeping patterns, and more. Making your health a priority in regards to food may require planning, but it can be life changing! It’s important to do your own research and avoid possible rumors that may not be true – in this case, affordable healthy eating.
Where Do I Start?
Plan Ahead
Without a doubt, planning saves money. When you plan your meals out for the week and write out the ingredients needed at the store, you’re less likely to purchase goods that you don’t need and may go to waste. Try sitting down and planning out your next week’s meals and creating a detailed grocery list. This is an easy method to set yourself up for success. Afterall, during unprecedentedtimes, planning ahead for the unexpected is crucial!
Produce, Produce, Produce!
There’s no denying that produce should be at the heart of every grocery trip! Tacoma Boys carries a wide variety of fresh local produce that works well for any budget.
Tacoma Boys Tip: Try freezing your own produce if it’s about to spoil and use it in smoothies and soups later on!
Shop Pantry Staple Foods
Having pantry staple foods on hand is an affordable way to make food last a long while. There are many healthy pantry staple foods you can stock up on to last – some may even cost less than $1 per serving – yes please!
Bob’s Red Mills Steel Cut Oats
Timeless French Green Lentils
Lundberg Black Japonica Rice
Jovial Foods Brown Rice Pasta
Remlinger Farms Frozen Fruit
Pacific Foods Broths & Stocks
Eggs
This popular ingredient deserves its own category because of its versatility. Depending on the type of eggs you buy, a serving of 2 eggs can cost as low as 0.83 cents. Serve alongside some spinach, onion, bell pepper, and you have yourself a hearty breakfast scramble for under $3. Tacoma Boys has a great selection of high quality eggs such as Vital Farms and Stiebrs Farms Organic Free Range Eggs that work great for any meal of the day!
Affordable Healthy Recipes Made Easy
When planning your meals ahead of time, look for recipes that use minimal ingredients that fit within your budget. Budget Bytes provides high quality recipes with budget and ingredients laid out clearly. This is a great tool to use when budgeting your weekly groceries. You may also want to think about using discount codes from Raise (see here – https://www.raise.com/coupons/target) to help you make savings when shopping for groceries at places like Target or you can use them to get reductions on lots of other items from your favorite brands and stores. This way, you can really stretch your budget a lot further!
This guide is a friendly reminder that your local Tacoma Boys is here to help assist you with any of your grocery needs. Although Tacoma Boys does carry a variety specialty food items, the budget-friendly options are bountiful throughout each store. When swinging by a Tacoma Boys near you, keep in mind produce, pantry staples, and products like eggs for cost efficient grocery shopping. (And don’t forget to plan ahead!) For more tips and tricks on saving money at your local Tacoma Boys, check out the following resources:
During the colder months, we tend to trade in the fresh fruits and vegetables we associate with summer for the rich, hearty meals of winter. Soups laden with browned meats and plump beans are a true staple of our winter diets. Even though summer has come and gone, there are still plenty of fresh vegetables available, some still growing and thriving in the garden despite the cold temperatures. These fruits and vegetables are rich with vitamins and nutrients to keep us healthy through the winter, so why not dish out the nutrients with a vitamin rich side dish using our winter recipe roundup?
To make adding a vitamin packed side dish to your meal a cinch, we’ve gathered some of our favorite, simple fall vegetable, side dish recipes for you to try.
Leafy Greens & Brassicas
Many sturdier greens thrive in the garden through Pacific Northwest winters. Kale, swiss chard, and collard greens are among the sturdy greens that keep growing right on through the winter and are available fresh in our markets.
Kale
Kale is rich in vitamins A, C, K, B vitamins, calcium, manganese, potassium, and magnesium. It’s no wonder kale makes the short list for power packed veggies. It is also loaded with antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory effects.
The bright color of red cabbage comes from pigments called anthocyanins, which, in simple terms, translates to loads of antioxidants that promote a healthy immune system. Red cabbage is easy to add to a meal. Slice and use in the place of lettuce on your tacos, add to a green salad for extra color and nutrients, or mix it up in this delicious and fresh winter slaw.
Pumpkins are not just for jack-o-lanterns, though we do love a skillfully carved toothy grin. Loaded with beta carotene, vitamin C and E, iron and folate, pumpkins and other winter squashes offer support for vision and promote immune health.
High in fiber and in vitamins C and A, as well as potassium, root vegetables are an easy choice to add to your winter diet. Many root vegetables are excellent for longer storage, so you can stock up and be sure to have them on hand, when you get the craving.
If you need even more inspiration to add a little vitamin goodness to your winter menus using fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, check out our Guide to Local Seasonal Eating or ask one of our amazing produce specialists what seasonal fruits and vegetables they particularly enjoy.