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Does a healthy lifestyle really have to be that expensive
It is often thought that a healthy lifestyle is expensive however, this is not the case. The purpose of this blog is to help identify opportunities to improve our lifestyle without it costing a fortune.
How can I eat healthy and affordably?
There are lots of affordable, nutritious and delicious ingredients that we can include as part of a healthy balanced diet. Use the Eatwell guide to ensure you are eating a balanced diet.
Let’s take a closer look at the Eatwell Guide and identify some money-saving choices:
Starchy Carbohydrates
- Oats are cheap and versatile and can be used to make a range of meals such as porridge or smoothies, a crunchy topping for baked dishes or in snack bars to carry on the go.
- When buying bread, rice or pasta switch from branded versions to basic or supermarket own, there is little difference in taste, but they are much cheaper.
Fruit and Vegetables
- Choosing in season fruit and vegetables can be much cheaper.
- Using frozen, tinned or dried fruit and vegetables is a great way to reduce food waste and cost.
Protein
- Adding vegetarian sources of protein to meals such as beans and lentils is an easy way to bulk out meals and provides one of your 5-a-day.
- Tinned fish, eggs, beans and lentils are great sources of protein that can be bought at low cost, particularly when bought in bulk.
Dairy
- If on offer, freeze dairy products such as milk and cheese for later use.
- Natural yoghurt is a versatile low-cost ingredient. Eat it plain or with fruit, as a snack or side dish. Use it to make flavoured yoghurt like raita or tzatziki or add into curries and pasta dishes.
Here are some top tips for affordable eating:
- In the supermarket, look above, behind and below the shelves, you can usually find cheaper items with a longer use-by date.
- Register with supermarket reward schemes and use available coupons.
- Plan your meals for the week ahead and create a shopping list. With a list, you are more likely to stick to it and avoid unnecessary purchases
It is possible to eat a well-balanced diet without costing a fortune, and hopefully, some of these tips will help!
Here are some inexpensive or even free ideas for exercise:
The UK Government guidelines suggest that we should be aiming to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week. Joining a gym is not the only way to achieve this!
Walking
Walking is often overlooked as a form of exercise but is a great way to get more active, lose weight and destress. To get you started why not try a 10-minute walk to the end of your road, walking to school with your children or walking part of the way home from work.
Couch to 5k
If you want more of a challenge the NHS Couch to 5K is a great programme to get you started. It is a 9-week programme that gradually builds your running ability so that by the end of it you are able to run 5km without stopping. You can access this online or on the Couch to 5k app.
Strength and flexibility exercise
Lifting weights, using resistance bands, gardening and carrying heavy bags are all forms of strength exercise, which you should try to do on a regular basis. Flexibility exercises are also important to aid mobility, these may include gentle stretches and simple yoga poses.
What can we do to relax?
Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins in the brain which can make you feel a little calmer and allow you to deal with stress more effectively.
Make time for an activity that you enjoy a few times a week. This is time spent on yourself or time spent with friends and family away from stressors.
If you feel stressed or anxious, try focusing on your breathing and slowing it down a little. It can help to close your eyes and place a hand on your belly or chest while you do so. This takes a few minutes and can be very effective at relieving stress.
For more information on stress and how to reduce it have a look on the NHS website