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:
If you’ve been on the internet five minutes today, you’ve likely seen at least one moderately hilarious meme about the weight we’re all going to gain during this time at home. And with all the extra time to bake sourdough bread and neighbors dropping off porch presents in the form of baked goods every other day, the memes have a pretty good chance of getting it right. But all joking aside, what if you still want to fit into your clothes when the time comes to put some on and go out into the world? We, at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, believe that by making a few healthier choices in this season, you can come out of it looking and feeling like your best self. You may not be able to hit the gym, but we’ve compiled a list of tips for eating well while staying home.
Healthy Weight And Eating Well
Eating well is the key not only to staying a healthy weight, but it can also give you the energy you need to stay present and boost your mood. Who couldn’t use a mood boost these days? More and more research is pointing to diet as one of the major factors involved in mental health. In a time when anxiety threatens to creep in, a great way you can support your brain’s healthy function is by giving it healthy food.
Besides maintaining a reasonable weight and supporting your mental health, eating well during this time at home can help your immune system to function better. Increased immune function can help keep you from getting sick or decrease the severity of symptoms if you do. One of the best ways to support your immune system is by increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Packing your diet with produce gives your body the vitamins and antioxidants it needs to fight disease.
With all these great reasons to eat healthy, why not get started today? At Tacoma Boys and H&L produce, we care about your health and that of your family. We’re here to support you in your efforts. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas for eating well while staying home.
6 Simple Tips For Healthy Eating at Home
1. Start Your Day With A Fruit
It’s easy to feel out of sorts with many of our usual rhythms interrupted. Now’s a great time to give yourself some new healthier habits right off the bat. It’s a message we hear from the time we’re kids: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But if preparing a full meal feels like a lot first thing in the morning, simply grabbing a fruit to eat while you drink your coffee is a great compromise. This week at Tacoma Boy’s and H&L Produce, we’re featuring our delicious Honeycrisp apples and super sweet juicy oranges. Or opt for a delicious pineapple! Just cut it up and store it in chunks in the refrigerator for an easy addition to breakfast.
2. Eat a Breakfast Packed with Protein and Good Fat
Protein and fat (the good kind found in eggs and avocados), keep you fuller longer than a breakfast packed with empty carbs. If you find yourself with more time and less hustle in the morning, it could be a great chance to focus some attention on a home cooked breakfast, like some Spicy Pulled Pork Fried Eggs. This recipe calls for slow cooker pulled pork, so you’ll want to swing by our butcher for one of our premium pork shoulders. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you begin your day by eating well!
3. Make Your Sandwich a Wrap
Replacing your bread with leafy vegetables like chard or romaine lettuce is a great way to get an extra serving of veggies. It also helps cut down on carbs and adds a nice crunch to your lunch. Check out our fresh produce section for a great selection of leafy green and red lettuce. Top with our deli-sliced turkey breast and black forest ham, and dice some roma tomatoes for additional color and flavor! Your taste buds and waistline will be so delighted, you’ll want to make every sandwich a wrap.
4. Snack on Veggies
If you find yourself reaching for a mid-afternoon snack, avoid foods like chips that are high in calories but nutrient-deficient. Instead, give your body foods it truly craves, like our buttery-rich Hass avocados. Cut one in half, sprinkle with sea salt, and enjoy with a spoon right out of the skin. Or enjoy the millennial-famed avocado toast. It’s famous for a reason! If avocado isn’t your speed, try making caprese with our juicy red cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella selected from our wide variety of gourmet cheeses. Replacing junk food with healthy alternatives like the above is a great way to keep eating well while staying home.
5. Have Fish Once a Week
The health benefits to eating fish regularly are numerous. Consuming fish can help heart health, brain health, and energy levels, just to name a few. And fish can be one of the simplest meals to prepare! This week at Tacoma Boys and H&L produce, we’re featuring our Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets and Fresh Wild Red Rock Snapper Fillets. Stop by our fish counter and experience the best quality fish around!
6. Start Your Own Garden
A great way to get your greens is growing your own! Forgot to plant this spring? No problem! Tacoma Boys and H&L produce is your one-stop shop for vegetable starts this year! Avoid the crowds at the supermarket by growing your own veggies at home. Nothing beats the taste of produce grown in your own backyard. Need planting advice? Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can point you in the right direction.
Our Commitment to Helping You Stay Healthy
At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, we’re experts in the meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables you need to stay healthy. Much of our produce is locally farmed, so shopping with us is a great way to support your local farming industry while you and your family stay healthy. Our expert staff are knowledgeable and ready to help you find what you need to eat well while staying home this season.