We get it, you’re trying to lose weight, but you’re also not trying to break the bank in the process.
We see people drop their boot camp memberships and exercise routines to accomplish this, but that’s not the answer.
Dropping your boot camp membership may seem like a good idea to save money, but the truth is that you’re setting yourself up to gain that weight back you’ve been working so hard to lose. Going to boot camp puts you in a community and provides accountability, so removing yourself from that situation will not benefit you. It’s time to take a look at your eating habits and how changing them can help you lose weight and save money at the same time.
From eating out to buying pricy processed foods, your food budget could likely use an overhaul. Many people have the misconception that healthy foods and home-cooked foods are more expensive, but with the right ingredients you can easily prepare a home-cooked meal for your entire family for the amount of money it costs for just one restaurant meal.
With a few simple changes, your family can reduce your grocery bill while cutting calories and eating healthier at the same time. Sound good? Read on to find out how.
Plan Ahead
It’s five o’clock and you haven’t given a thought to dinner. Of course eating out is an option, but it doesn’t have to be your default choice. Take a few minutes each week to plan a menu, then head to the grocery store to buy a week’s worth of food so you have the ingredients you need on hand for easy, last minute meals. You can always reference our 
foods. Think of how cheap a bag of beans or rice is and how many servings it provides. Meat is often the most expensive item on your menu. Try preparing a few meatless meals each week to save money. For protein, center your meal on legumes, beans, or eggs.
For a healthy, low-calorie diet you’ll want to load up on fresh produce. To save money, look for produce that’s in season and comes in a bag rather than individually. You may find out-of-season produce is cheaper in the frozen section. When you buy frozen, you don’t have to worry about it going bad.
When a staple food item is on sale, stock up with enough to last before it expires. Cut out the junk and processed foods from your grocery list and you’ll be sure to save money and calories. Don’t even look at the cookie and chip aisle, it’s just not worth it!
Don’t Grocery Shop Hungry
Walking up and down the grocery store aisles when you’re hungry can be dangerous to your budget. You’ll be more likely to make impulsive decisions about what to throw in your cart and will crave unhealthy options. Before heading to the grocery store, eat a small snack to curb your hunger, and then stick to your list when you’re at the store.
