“It’s not like we don’t want to eat healthy, but it’s just way too pricey!”

Living and eating healthy in this economy and lifestyle is just too much of a struggle, especially to those who are working from 9 to 5 and are living by their own on rented places!

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Even though it is not impossible for one to keep a healthy and balanced diet, it is not arguable that it is indeed a lot more work than just planning out your meals. The cost, the time, the process; everything requires attention and dedication. It is true however that plenty of restaurants out there serve healthy meals which some are even vegetarian and organic but have you seen the price?

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Just take a look! A single serving of Caesar Salad may roughly cost you RM16 but a plateful of Nasi Lemak with fried chicken only cost you at most RM8! And a smoothie bowl that is packed with super berries can rocket up to RM24 and cheapest at RM19 while a set meal of Double Cheeseburger with a side of fries and cola is only RM9!

You can see that eating healthy outside is more like a luxury instead of a lifestyle!

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If you are living under a stack of money and not struggling to survive this era’s economy, then it shouldn’t be a problem. But for people who are living on the average, it’s tougher to make sure the food you take is fueling the body rather than worsening the body.

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So how do we tackle this?

Well if you are planning on living healthy in 2020, two skills that you might need to start working on are cooking (or at least some kitchen skills) and a bit of planning skills. With an effective planning skill—both finance and diet—you too can achieve a healthy living without breaking the bank and drilling a hole in your wallet.

▲ Photo by Gleb Makarov on Unsplash.

First thing first is plan out your entire day’s meal.

To make sure that your breakfast, lunch and dinner—perhaps your snacks too—are loaded with nutrition that is body-fueling whilst keeping it budget-friendly, you might want to start jotting down all the things you’re planning to eat beforehand. By doing this, it’s somewhat like a guide that will distract you from having impromptu cravings because when you’ve already planned out, you’re mentally ready to consume these meals.

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Next, plan and buy your groceries in bulk.

This is a way to make sure your bank account stays happy. Typically, when shop in bulks, wet and dry groceries tend to be a lot cheaper compared when purchased individually. For an example, a bunch of bananas—approximately 5-6—may cost you around RM5 to RM7 while when bought individually it’s usually RM1.50 and above each.

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Plus, when you have healthy options loaded in your cupboard, you’d tend to try to finish them. Let’s be real, when we work from 9 to 5, the first thing we would like to take pleasure on is the leisure of our own home’s comfort. So this will indirectly encourage you ‘lazy’ people (don’t worry, we’re like that too) to consume what you have in your house.

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If you’re feeling adventurous, try pre-cook meals.

Pre-cooking meals is often beneficial to those who don’t have that much time. By cooking in large batches during the weekends and freezing them in the cooler, you can just take them out and microwave them during the busy days of the week. Just one push of a button then you’re set to a good, healthy yet delicious meal.

▲ Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash.

Yes, we know that these things are a bit tedious but let’s thrive for a better living in 2020!