cheap healthy living.. are you out there?

[pattorres17]

I am 19 years old and a sophomore at a community college. I have always been athletic and in shape (last year I was on a soccer scholarship to a great university). But now I am working and going to school - and I am starting to lose my good eating habits and exercise routine... does anyone know how i can eat healthy on the go and not spend a fortune on organic foods and stuff like that? I would appreciate any advice! thank you!

[4jacks]

does anyone know how i can eat healthy on the go and not spend a fortune on organic foods and stuff like that? I would appreciate any advice! thank you!

No

Healthy / Convenient / inexpensive

You can pick any two. But you can't have all three.

Healthy & Convenient = You eat out a lot and good restaurants, buy the good prepared meals, organics, etc.

Convenient & Inexpensive = There’s a McDonalds on every corner

Health & Inexpensive = You go to the store and buy Food. Rice, pasta, fruits, veggies, meat and then you go home and you cook. And you cook often because most of the stuff you cook doesn’t keep too long.


There is one thing that is Healthy Convenient and Inexpensive though. Water!!! Drink lots of it.

Welcome to the boards.

[TheWealthSquad]

You can eat healthy on the go without spending a fortune but you have to spend a lot of time planning ahead. It will also eliminate some variety from your diet too as your choices may be more limited.
Pack a cooler with you for the day.

1) Eat lots of cereal. Total, Go Lean, something good for it. It makes a great snack that you can carry with you.
2) Fruit - Keep fruit in your house and your cooler. Makes a great snack, is quick, and healthy
3) Peanut butter - Sandwich, on a spoon, on crackers, with bananas. Filling, the right kind can be organic and healthy. (unless you are allergic to peanuts)
4) Grilled chicken breasts - Grill or bake them all at once and refrigerate them. Microwave them when you are ready to make a quick sandwich.
5) Subway - Yea its not organic but it is reasonably healthy and quick.


There are lots of other ways but you will have to clear some time out of your schedule to plan and prepare. Don't forget that exercise can be packed into just 20 minutes a day. Even 10 minutes is better than nothing. So don't let it slide. If you are used to playing soccer, you are used to spending a lot of time exercising. A few minutes doing hi intensity exercise can go a long way. Here is an example. Its a protocol called tabata training. Its tough though so don't think it is an easy way to stay in shape. Just a short time frame one.

http://www.justaguything.com/intense...-conditioning/


Overall it is very tough to manage good for you, quick, convenient and good value. Usually something has to give as was mentioned in the previous reply. You can give a little in each of them and come pretty close though.

[matt]

If you make up a big pot of soup or chili on the weekend it can make for quick and easy lunches throughout the week.

[bob]

My suggestion is to just eat as much fruit as possible. Bananas and apples are both pretty convenient and pretty cheap and are a great way to get some nutritious food in your body!

[rawgini]

Check out farmers and growers markets in your area. Also, have you considered sprouting? It's easy, super inexpensive and provides you with a great source of greens. All it requires in a couple of rinses a day. Add some whole grain tortillas, a rotisserie chicken or some sunflower seeds if you're a vegan, a drizzle of EVOO, a handful of your appprox. 5 day old sprouts~~delicious, nutritious, easy and inexpensive.

[4jacks]

What is Sprouting? Some form of gardening?

[cev2000]

If you have a Trader Joe's by you try some of their foods. They usually have good prices and some of their foods are organic. Some of their meals are really good too. For exercise try walking everywhere you can it is really good for you and it could save you money on gas.

[tim_v]

What is Sprouting? Some form of gardening?

Yes. Put seeds (like alfalfa or bean) in a jar with screen lid. Water regularly (& drain I think) and keep in sunlight. Edible sprouts in a few days.

[4jacks]

Yes. Put seeds (like alfalfa or bean) in a jar with screen lid. Water regularly (& drain I think) and keep in sunlight. Edible sprouts in a few days.

How would you drain it? I can't imagine tipping it out. They sell little tiny plastic pots at home depot. Can't you just do it in there?

[tim_v]

How would you drain it? I can't imagine tipping it out. They sell little tiny plastic pots at home depot. Can't you just do it in there?

The screen keeps the seeds in. If you just used a pot it would be hard to keep the seeds from draining away.

I've never actually done this but have seen it done.

[4jacks]

The screen keeps the seeds in. If you just used a pot it would be hard to keep the seeds from draining away.

I've never actually done this but have seen it done.

Now, I'm really confused. So you don't actually put the seeds in the soil? They just sit on top, you water them, then pour the water out, but a screen keeps the seeds from falling out when you tip the jar upside down.

Seriously those little pots cost like 50¢, The jars seem like way too much hassle.

[bob]

I bought a little tray with a screen that cost me about 5 bucks from a health food store - it is easy and works great - never tried the jar though...

[Darren]

What I do for a healthy snack is buy raw soybeans and cook them in a small oven. You need to soak them for about 8 hours, but you can do this overnight. Then you just drain them before baking them for about 30 minutes. It's pretty easy, they're inexpensive, and good for you.

[ChristFollower]

Almonds are healthy and easy to carry around. They make a great snack.