She Strengthens

A Healthy Habit: Eating Well on a Budget

I’m thrilled to have completed the challenge of eating healthy on a budget, and I must say, it wasn’t as daunting as I thought it would be. By making health and budget considerations a priority, I found that it was relatively easy to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Sticking to the Rules

At the beginning of the challenge, I set some ground rules for myself. Looking back, I’m pleased to say that I succeeded in meeting most of them. I enjoyed trying out new recipes and experimenting with different ingredients to create wholesome, delicious meals three times a day, plus healthy snacks. And the best part? I managed to stay within my budget of $60 a week, with some weeks even coming in under $40.

Defining Healthy Eating

For me, eating healthy means consuming a balanced diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables, and limiting processed foods. I’m happy to report that I stuck to this principle throughout the challenge. It helped that I already enjoy eating a healthy diet, but the challenge encouraged me to be more mindful of my food choices.

Allowing for Cheat Days

Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good cheat day? I’ll admit that I indulged in greasy bar food and restaurant meals on weekends, but by limiting my splurges to just one day a week, I was able to keep my monthly budget in check.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Throughout the challenge, I made a conscious effort to be truthful about my eating habits and expenses. It wasn’t always easy, but it was an important part of the process.

The Takeaway

Overall, this challenge has been a positive experience for me, and I plan to continue eating healthy on a budget for at least another month. The hardest part was documenting my journey through blogging and tweeting, but now that the challenge is over, I’m looking forward to maintaining my new habits without the pressure of sharing my progress with others. If you’re interested in seeing more of my weekly menu plans and shopping lists, you can find them on my personal blog. How about you? Did you take on the challenge, and if so, how did you do?