With the changing trends and increasing awareness, the demand for organic produce is increasing. Owing to the health benefits of whole foods many people want to eat natural but face constraints due to their budget. Of course, there is no doubt about the fact that people who eat organic products are much healthier than those who rely on chemical supplements for health. The organic equivalents of food items are 20% to 100% expensive as compared to their conventional counterparts.
There are multiple reasons for the high pricing, for instance since the farmers use no chemicals the crops require more time and labor. The supply is also less as compared to the demand, packaging, and processing of organic items separate from the conventional counterparts also takes time. Organic farms also have to bear high inspection fee and the high cost of animal welfare for their cattle and feed.
Well, that doesn’t mean that you can’t buy the healthy produce without compromising on your budget. Here are ten tips that can help you shop organic without going heavy on your pocket:
Explore Different Shopping Options
The variation in pricing of whole foods may vary according to your state, so you would have to do some research. Search for organic associations in your area and view all the choices around you.
Go to the Farmers Market
The products available in supermarkets are usually expensive; the farmers market is a much better option for organic shopping. You may get discounts for buying in bulk, and the best part is that the produce is fresh, look for good deals, and you will be able to save a lot.
Use Coupons and Discounts
If you do buy from local stores or supermarkets, look for coupons and discounts. Many online companies offer different discount codes; some stores have weekly deals or bundles that may help you save some money on the regular price.
Join a Food Cooperative
Find food cooperatives in your area and become a member of any of these. You would only have to sign up, and you will be able to get discounts on many of their products including organic produce. You can volunteer as well to avail better deals.
Plan Your Meals Smartly
You will have to make the decision of choosing health over taste, which means you will have to make some tough choices. Since organic meat is quite expensive if you can’t have it regularly you will have to settle for veggies some days. Keep reminding yourself that quality matters more than quantity.
Use Leftover and Scrap
Plan your meals carefully because you don’t want any wastage. Use ingredients in calculated amounts and don’t throw away the leftovers. You can use them for next day’s lunch. Download apps that can generate grocery lists as per your needs and stick to those lists only.
Start from Scratch
You can save a lot of extra money by making things at home rather than purchasing them off the shelf. Products like pasta sauces, nut butter, spices and other such items can be made from scratch; it will cost you less than buying ready-made products.
Look into Gardening
Growing your organic produce can serve as a fabulous hobby and provide you multiple health benefits. You can use pure seeds and methods for pest control. If you have a backyard, then you can grow fruits and veggies, but even with a small gallery, you have the options of planting herbs.
Buy Seasonal Produce
Buy what is in-season and then stock it up. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are cheap, fresh and healthy. You can visit a farmers market and buy the local produce in bulk, this way you may get great discounts on the already lower prices.
Gradually Transition towards Organic
Making the transition towards natural produce is vital for good health. Eating meals based on organic products can protect and help clean out toxins from your body. But you will have to switch gradually; start from products that have the highest amounts of pesticide residue. Afterward shift entirely towards whole foods to achieve optimum health for yourself and your family.
Kelly Newman is a Fitness Trainer and blogger. She loves to write about everything related to fitness and diet and wants to help people adopt a healthier lifestyle. She works with the team behind Health Listed and does extensive research to provide people actionable health and nutrition information.
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