With food prices on the rise, that tempting $11.99 Little Caesar’s 3,700-Calorie meal deal might be starting to look like an appealing option.
After all, for a family of four, that large pizza with Crazy Bread and a 2-liter cola can cost as little as $3 per person.
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with indulging in some pizza in moderation, there is something wrong with the common belief that “healthy foods are too expensive.” The truth is, this logic doesn’t hold up entirely. There are more budget-friendly options than you might think.
If you’re striving to maintain a nutritious diet while on a tight budget, consider implementing some of these strategies:
Choose affordable whole foods.
Contrary to what some people might believe, many minimally-processed whole foods are more budget-friendly than their highly processed counterparts.
Take, for instance, the potato. A medium-sized potato costs about a dollar less than a serving of small fries. Not only that, but the potato contains significantly fewer calories (161 vs. 220) while offering a wider range of nutrients.
The potato is just one example of many minimally-processed whole foods that are not only nutritious but also budget-friendly. Here are some other nutrient-rich, relatively low-cost options:
Proteins: eggs, whole chicken, tofu, canned fish, flank/tri-tip steak
Smart carbs: bulk brown rice, bulk lentils and beans, potatoes, oats
Veggies: cabbage, carrots, beets, Romaine lettuce, frozen spinach
Fruit: bananas, whole watermelon, seasonal apples, oranges, frozen berries
Healthy fats: sunflower seeds, peanuts, extra-virgin olive oil
Aim for progress, not perfection.
While “superfoods” like quinoa can be quite expensive, brown rice remains an affordable staple, especially when bought in bulk. The same goes for most varieties of beans and lentils.
You don’t need to select the “best” option in each category to improve your nutrition. Even a small upgrade in food quality can make a significant difference. Opt for proteins, smart carbs, healthy fats, fruits, and veggies that align with your budget, aiming for gradual improvements compared to your current choices.
Make the most of your freezer.
Consider setting aside 1 to 2 servings of each meal you prepare and store them in your freezer—a.k.a. your “treasure chest.” Think of this as a thoughtful gift from your current self to your future self.
On those hectic days when cooking seems impossible, you’ll have a stash of frozen meals to rely on. It’s like a treasure trove of convenient, homemade dishes just waiting to save the day.
I hope this helps, and while you’re here, I want to make sure you know that if there’s any way I can help you achieve your health and fitness goals, I’m here for you.
I offer online nutrition coaching to clients who are ready to quit dieting and start looking and feeling better, with more confidence and increased energy levels – without complicated diets or painful workouts
What exactly is “nutrition coaching”… and how will it help you reach your goals?
When it comes to losing weight and getting the body you want, “eating better” is one of the most important steps. The only problem?
Most of the common diet advice you receive simply isn’t sustainable…
- “Avoid your favorite foods… forever!”
- “Don’t eat after 7pm!”
- “Weigh and measure every morsel of food you eat!”
If you’ve tried something like this before and “failed”—or just couldn’t stick with it—you’re not alone.
(And it’s definitely NOT your fault.)
I talk to people every day who are trying to muster up all the willpower they can find to diet their way to a better body… but they still aren’t getting the results they want.
The good news? There’s a better way.
My nutrition coaching focuses on strategic, doable daily actions that are designed to fit into YOUR lifestyle. With this approach, you’ll learn how to:
- Eat better—without dieting or feeling deprived.
- Lose weight—without giving up your favorite foods.
- Ditch the food rules—overcoming the guilt and shame.
- Feel energized all day—so you can enjoy all the things you want and need to do.
- Get the results you’ve always wanted—and build the healthy habits you need to stay that way for good.
Bottom line: My goal is to help you learn how to “eat better” so that it becomes easy, consistent, and automatic.
No restrictive dieting. No weighing or measuring your food. No “one size fits all” meal plan.
Instead, you’ll learn how to bring healthy eating into your lifestyle and get in amazing shape—while building the habits you need to stay that way for good.
How is nutrition coaching different from fitness coaching or personal training?
As a coach, my number one goal is to help my clients reach THEIR goals. Doing that effectively requires me to constantly look for opportunities to learn new skills and hone my craft.
This is exactly why I chose to become a Certified Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition.
I’ve now been trained by the best of the best, so I know what works.
(The nutrition method they teach is backed by science and has been proven to work with over 100,000 of their own clients… so it’s the real deal.)
The best part? The knowledge and skills I’ve gained can help you finally get the results you want—and keep them for life.
Through the rigorous training I’ve received, I learned that while exercise is a crucial part of losing weight, feeling good, and achieving optimal health… it’s only half the equation.
The other half—as you may have guessed—is nutrition.
I’d actually argue that nutrition is more important than exercise, because while you spend a few hours working out each week, challenges around eating and food can happen anytime (some would say all the time!).
That’s why having a coach there to guide and support you is crucial.
Don’t get me wrong: Exercise is very important. But no amount of exercise will ever be able to “outwork” bad nutrition habits. So in order to help you get the life-transforming results you deserve—I’m excited to be able to offer nutrition coaching in an official capacity.
What I learned while becoming a Certified Nutrition Coach opened my eyes to a whole new way of doing things. And through this science-proven approach, I’m ready to help you get even better results through healthy nutrition habits.
Interested? Have questions? Let’s talk…
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, or if you have questions about what this would look like… I’d love to discuss how my online nutrition coaching program could help you get the results you’re looking for.
Click here to get started and I’ll answer any questions you have. Plus, we can connect to talk more about what this would look like for you.
Dedicated to your success,
Nico.
P.S. Just so you know: I’m offer fitness coaching as well—and it doesn’t have to be “either or.”
If you’re in a place where guidance and support from an experienced coach could help you reach your goals, I’m here to help in whatever capacity will be most beneficial for you.
Simply learn more here and we can talk about the different coaching options I have available.