For those of you who do not have an issue with the financial cost that accompanies healthy eating, this article may not be for you. HOWEVER, it may be meant for you to pass along, potentially assisting and inspiring a coworker, friend, or relative to kick-start a healthy regimen during this stressful season for many in 2020. In this article, I truly hope to foster encouragement, healing, and empowerment by breaking some financial myths tied to eating healthy, along with expressing additional benefits of a healthy diet plan.

One common hurdle to starting a healthy diet (especially when considering meal preparation tied to fitness goals) is COST. This misconception is connected to the common and detrimental belief that eating healthy or meal prepping costs more than eating unhealthy and is something that we just can’t afford.  WRONG!

Below are several options along with two personal stories that have the power to counter this negative and untrue financial concept.

• Wholesale club grocery shopping
• Grocery outlet store shopping (surplus items create a supply and demand style low price)
• Grocery store chain specific apps
• General discount apps (top-rated are: coupons.com, KCL The Krazy Coupon Lady and Ibotta)
• Inquiring through social media community boards (this is a great place to share resourceful ideas and strategies)

The first example I’d like to elaborate on is wholesale shopping. I’ve learned the financial benefits of this approach first hand last December.

During my recent transformation challenge, my fitness partner Sam had convinced me to join a Wholesale Club where I could save a great deal by purchasing in bulk at wholesale pricing.

I was shocked to learn that if I committed to my diet plan, my monthly grocery budget could be $150-$200! The food items on my plan included: chicken breast, rice, frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, oatmeal, almonds, egg whites, and yogurt. Doing the math and considering 6 meals a day this equated to $0.83- $1.11 a meal! Therefore, by eating a healthy diet I’m benefiting physically and financially. WHAT A WIN! There’s not a meal I could find that cheap; not even at the cheapest fast-food establishment. A healthy muscle building meal at just above $1 during uncertain times? Now that’s my type of happy meal.

The second example I want to share is how I discovered wise, effective grocery savings through personal networking. A friend shared a very insightful strategy on how she found what store chains offered the best prices on specific food categories.

She explained that grocery stores always have a “loss leader” item or category where they receive less profit when keeping the price exceptionally low in order to be competitive and increase consumer foot traffic. The store is confident that the revenue generated from other items in the store will make up for the items that are technically set at too low in price (which you will purchase). This is an encouraging example of why food that is good and good for you can truly sell at a fair cost. Find out who has lost leaders in meat, product, frozen items, etc. To discover which grocery chains have the best deals in your area currently, I’d suggest the following:

• Search store chain apps, comparing prices weekly or utilize mentioned discount apps
• Ask your social media network (in general or in a private community page)
• Inquire through a community app/website (such as Nexdoor.com)

Before I leave you with the insight to hopefully fuel a new health journey, I also desire to inform you of the advantages beyond your wallet when choosing to eat healthy. 2020 has changed our lives in so many ways and I personally believe we can’t afford to not consume our nutrition more intentionally. When we do, we welcome the following additional benefits: increased energy, better mood, increased longevity, and being the health leader for those you love.

Once you get past cost we can dive into keeping it creative and enjoyable for your palate, mind, and soul (so look out for future articles)! If this year has been a unique challenge for you or a loved one, please remember, a dead-end is the perfect opportunity for a new beginning. In faith I know this article could be the map you or a friend just may need as a healthy distraction. Stay strong in wellness and faith and lets cash in on some healthy savings and a healthy you!