Healthy eating is for rich people? [OLD]

It depends how you define healthy. If it's buying Ella's or similar books and trying to source all the fancy ingredients, it can be quite pricey.

But as healthy as quinoa is, it is not essential. As is not coconut sugar, raw cacao, shelled hemp seeds, acai powder or coconut water. It's about choosing whole or less processed foods that have high nutrient content.

Very often, it actually depends on our priorities. I'm not talking about people who live in poverty though, there are some who cannot choose. However, to many of us, it's a matter of choice - going out for a coffee (or going out in general - including the costs of make up, outfits, taxi or car drive, parking, restaurant meals etc), a glass or a bottle of wine here and there, a cigarette, a holiday trip, a cinema ticket, a lottery ticket, a new bag, a magazine, a book, a piece of chocolate, an ice cream, a take-away... You could say that any of these things are a part of life, but for some people it's the chia seeds instead of a few cups of coffee.

You can always save money choosing healthy food over something else (I mean indulgences, not bills or things you really need). It's about what's more important to you. And if it's a new bag, that's fine - but it doesn't mean you can't afford healthy food - you just can't afford to buy healthy food AND the bag, therefore you choose the bag. And I'm not judging you - just saying that healthy foods are not just for rich, privileged people. I believe we should make healthy eating one of our priorities though and see it as an investment (in ourselves).

So you'd like to eat healthy but don't want to break the bank?

1. Buy in bulk - whole grains and their flour, beans, seeds, nuts, powders, spices and other dry stuff store well. Also, choose foods that still have nutritional benefits but are cheaper - e.g. instead of quinoa go for buckwheat, instead of chia - try flax. My favourite website for bulk foodstuff is probably www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk but there's also www.realfoods.co.uk and www.healthysupplies.co.uk. Please let me know if you have any favourites!

2. If you have freezer space - same goes for veggies and some fruit that you can order in bulk, chop and freeze (or dry if you happen to have a dehydrator). Or look for fellow-minded people and group up. Search for organic fruit and veg wholesalers (or farmers) in your area and ask if they'd deliver to individuals. You might have to buy whole cases but a box of apples, oranges or a sack of potatoes can easily sit and wait until you're ready to eat them, while blueberries can be quickly frozen.

3. Don't buy processed (or even peeled, chopped, sliced, partially cooked) foods and cook at home (obviously!). Bring your own lunch to work. Make your dressings and sauces, pesto and hummus. Bake your own bread or wraps. Don't buy cans of beans - soak and cook them yourself. Give a go at making snack bars (they can be quite expensive but not if you produce them yourself!). Try mixing your own breakfast cereal/muesli mix or granola. If you can't be without chocolate - why not make your own with quality ingredients (it will be cheaper than most raw organic bars in the shops)? Blend your own almond/cashew milk (it's even tastier) and if you have a good blender/food processor you could make nut/seed butter. Whenever you see something on the supermarket's shelf, think: could I make it myself? Would it be cheaper and/or healthier?

4. Look for discounts (and use the coupons, loyalty cards and any points systems). Compare prices and shop around (e.g. through www.mysupermarket.co.uk). Check your local Lidl, Aldi and Asian/Caribbean/Eastern European shops. You could even have a separate email address and sign up for many retailers' newsletters, just to get their special offers.

5. Grow your own - I know I know, you don't have time or space. Then grow on the windowsill - at least have a pot of parsley or basil (fresh herbs can be quite expensive yet way superior to dried). Sprout seeds (you only need to rinse them twice a day). Grow micro-greens. Look into community gardens and allotments. Or even guerrilla gardening.

6. Have you ever heard of freeganism or similar ideas for free food?

7. And look for friendly and free health tips online, e.g. on Plantiful Nutrition! :)


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