One of the most exciting parts of my job is to teach people how to eat clean and healthy, all while keeping it yummy and fun! This is my FAVORITE aspect because I used to be a culprit of eating "bad" and believing that because I workout, I could eat whatever I wanted to eat. Honestly that has a smidget of truth behind it...but truthfully I was "skinny fat" and I was NO WHERE NEAR HEALTHY because my body was not being given the proper nutrition!
It was about 8 months ago that I full adopted a clean eating lifestyle and I have not looked back.
This is the biggest question I get, "how can you afford to eat healthy?" And here is my question to those who choose not to eat healthy..."how can you afford NOT TO eat healthy?" It is not a puzzle! Yes, whole foods can be more expensive than boxed foods. Obviously, because for an unknown reason processed foods are much cheaper than whole foods, real foods! But we can discuss that later! I do not buy tons of pantry fillers, my grocery bills are never astronomical. They are relatively the same from before I switched to a clean eating lifestyle! It is all in what you buy and now much you buy of it! That is one of the keys to "budget friendly" healthy foods! So here is what my grocery cart generally looks like:
Before I head into the store I not only have my list and STICK TO IT, but I also have my meals planned. My meals are usually planed for 2 weeks ahead, I like to go grocery shopping just about once a month. This is what my meal plan typically looks like.
I do most of my shopping at Sam's Club because I tend to eat most of the SAMs foods each week. It is so much better to buy in bulk! It is cheaper and saves time.
1. Oatmeal
So here is the deal, people either a. Don't like oatmeal or b. only eat it for breakfast. When I started to eat clean I HATED oatmeal! But, the more I ate it and the more I experimented with it, I began to like it! Eggs and oatmeal are my staple breakfast meals! But I also eat it for any meal.
2. Chicken thighs
This is $1.48 a pound and sliced thin, perfect for me! They cook fast and they have lots of flavor and I eat this almost everyday. I usually make it on Sundays and keep it in containers. This way I have them for salads, wraps on tortillas or I just eat it with a side of fruit. Quick and easy!
3. Eggs
I eat eggs all the time. Literally I eat eggs everyday. I will eat them in any form. The best price is at Sams!
3. Quinoa
This is THE CHEAPEST place to buy this big bag! I use it for several meals. It is so good for you and it tastes amazing! It can be made in many different ways and used in several different recipes. I LOVE IT!
4. Greek yogurt
This is a must! I use it as a snack with fresh fruit and honey, I use it in place of sour cream. I honestly struggled with adding this into my daily meals, but now I cannot go without it!
5. Egg whites
I eat a ton of eggs. Eg whites are a part of the equation! I don't always eat the yolks for cholesterol sake and eggs have a ton of calories! So I often scramble egg whites with veggies or use 1 egg and the rest egg whites.
6. Fresh fruit
I love fresh fruit and it is the best place to buy fruit except the local farmers marker! I stock up on all kinds of fruit here especially during the winter! I get berries of all kinds, bananas, grapefruit, kiwi and more!
7. Veggies
I love my veggies, same as the fruit- I do the same with veggies. I stock up on celery, tomatoes, peppers, avocados, onions, asparagus and broccoli- even spinach for my salads and wraps!
8. Whole wheat tortillas
I love making wraps with anything! I love fajitas and breakfast wraps. Very yummy! And easy on-the-go!
9. Almond Milk
I go through milk so fast! I was buying several at one time. But here I get 3 in 1 and it is the best price! I use it in most things plus my Shakeology and coffee!
10. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I cook with this all the time! It is a healthy fat that is a must in our diets!
11. Turkey Burgers
I love food off the grill! This is a much healthier version of our red meat burgers :)
12. Sweet Potatoes
I make these as snacks and side dishes for dinner. I love them and they come in a large bag!
13. A few of my on-the-go snacks (but I limit them to a large extent)
I do keep healthier options for quick on the go snacks. I am completely real and I will never fake eating perfect or never indulging in a snack- so here are my go to!
14. Almonds, dried fruit and 60% cocoa chocolate chips
I love making my own mixture of trail mix and these are what I choose to use!
A little handful goes a long way!
15. Sparkling spring water
I love soda, I used to be completely addicted but I have made a conscious effort to eliminate that from my diet, so here is my go to for the carbonation I crave!
16. Ground Turkey
I choose to not eat beef anymore or if I do it is VERY limited! I use this for meatballs, tacos, chili and even burgers! I really do not miss beef at all! It is cheap at Sams.
17. Almond butter and peanut butter
I am addicted to both! It is a huge container and I go through them fast! This keeps it tolerable!!
18. Chicken Broth
I make my own soups and I love using chicken broth as a staple in my meals! It is a must have around and this supply is the best!
19. Lipton Cold or Hot Brew Tea
I make sun tea in the summer for a nice refreshing change! I am completely stocked for the summer with one box! Just add a bit of lemon and there is nothing so refreshing!
20. Coconut oil
I cook with this and use it for lotion and hair as well! For all the uses this is the best buy! It can be so expensive and I can't go without it so here this has saved me!! Haha!
These are just a few things that I get almost every month at Sam's Club. But you must know that by having a plan and only buying what you need is cost effective! It is so much better to buy/eat healthy food than to put junk in your body all the time! I make it a point to feed myself healthy foods. Take the guess work out of meals. Have a plan! You can do this!!! Trust me, if I can do this...SO CAN YOU!!! :)
I also freeze things! I make things ahead or buy in bulk and save it in my freezer! No excuses! Change your eating..you will feel like a whole new person!
GOOD LUCK!!!
✨✨live around my area?? I will help one-on-one clean eating grocery shopping, meal planning, meal prepping and eating! I would love to do this for you! Contact me for details!!✨✨
