It’s true that eating healthy can be more expensive than buying junk, but there are things you can do to lighten the impact on your wallet. Keep in mind that food is much more expensive in restaurants, take-out/delivery, and fast food chains than it is in a grocery store, so don’t use money as an excuse for not buying healthy groceries if you’re eating out multiple times a week.

• Water is FREE! – Skip flavored drinks. Water is a natural diuretic and often suppresses hunger. Drinking water instead of soda or juice makes a huge difference on your calorie intake.
• Purchase fresh fruits and veggies from the farmers’ market, wash them, cut them up and store in bags or a container. Look for fruits and vegetables that are in season because they typically cost less.
• If the farmers market isn’t convenient, buy frozen fruits & veggies because they don’t go bad as quickly as fresh ones, and their nutrient content remains nearly the same.
• Carry a cooler to work with an ice pack to avoid eating from the cafeteria and vending machine. It’s also easier to eat healthy when you prepare your own foods because you know exactly what’s in them.
• When making lunch at home try to make enough for 2 days. Cook in bulk and freeze – saving time and money.
• Cut coupons for you favorite meals.
• Buddy up with someone else at work and bring food together or alternate days.
• Buy meats in bulk and separate them into individual freezer bags after you get home.
• Instead of buying small prepackaged snacks, buy snacks by the bag and then divide your portions into smaller snack size baggies. You remain portion-control conscious and save money at the same time.

About the Author: Amber O’Neal, founder of the mobile fitness and nutrition company Café Physique, has over 9 years of professional fitness experience and a passion for healthy living. A certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer through American Council on Exercise (ACE), and a member of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, Amber is a freelance fitness and nutrition writer who has been featured in newspapers, websites, national television and national magazines such as Marie Claire and Heart & Soul.