Why Eating Healthy Is Cheaper
When you watch programs about people who are overweight, their excuse always seems to be that healthy food is so expensive. Because yes, for a few euros you can already get a whole menu at the fast-food giant. Still, that argument doesn’t hold up, because healthy food really is quite a bit cheaper.
Yes, if you buy a cold-pressed juice every day, make chia pudding and add nutritional yeast flakes to all your food, you will indeed spend a lot of money. Because of products like these, healthy food has a reputation for being expensive, while in reality there are many more healthy products that are very affordable.
Fresh products
The key is to cook for yourself using healthy, fresh products. You don’t need any superfoods for that. Broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower—they cost next to nothing and are packed with vitamins. Look for products that are in season or that aren’t seasonal. Lentils, beans, potatoes—all dirt cheap. A 400-gram can of chickpeas costs about one euro; you pay four times as much for 400 grams of bacon. So you go for the chickpeas, right?
Knowledge, skills and time
It’s not about cost, but about knowledge, skills and time. After a busy day, many people don’t feel like cooking an elaborate meal, so a ready-made meal is the solution. If you have a well-stocked pantry, you can really make a fantastic meal from just an aubergine and rice. This Chinese aubergine with garlic and soy sauce costs next to nothing and is incredibly healthy, especially if you eat it with brown rice. By the way, you can ignore the two types of soy sauce—good ol’ Kikkoman works just fine.
Less meat and fish
Eating less meat and fish also helps, because they often take a big bite out of your budget. And if you do eat meat, go for the cheaper cuts of the animal. For example, make a stew or use chicken thighs instead of filet mignon and chicken breast. They do contain a little more fat, but if you otherwise eat plenty of vegetables, that really isn’t a problem.
Freezer
Don’t be tempted by superfoods; just buy nutritious fresh ingredients and vary things in the kitchen. The only exception we make to fresh is frozen fruit and vegetables. Freezing preserves all the nutrients, and it’s a lot cheaper. And if you put them in a smoothie, you really can’t taste whether you’re drinking fresh or frozen raspberries. Frozen food also keeps longer, so you have less waste as well.
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