How Caregivers Can Eat Healthy On a Budget
In-home caregivers can lead extremely busy lives. From providing optimal care to their clients to juggling family responsibilities and hectic social schedules, it can be challenging for caregivers to take time for themselves.
As a caregiver, you shouldn’t put your well-being on the back burner. This will not only affect your work performance but your overall health.
4 Healthy Eating Tips for Caregivers
Preparing and planning delicious, nutritious meals is one of the easiest ways to promote well-being. Plus, it doesn’t have to break your bank account! Keep reading to learn simple tips in-home caregivers can use to feed their families healthy meals on a budget.
Make a List
Before you do your weekly grocery shopping, make a list of what meals you plan on cooking that week. While your weekly menu doesn’t have to be set in stone, planning ahead can save you from that annoying age-old question, “What are we having for dinner?”
While making your list, keep your weekly grocery budget in mind. Setting a realistic budget is important for anyone with multiple financial priorities.
Identify the necessary ingredients and add those to your shopping list. However, leave room for flexibility and how much leftovers you might have to use for other meals.
Take Stock
Before you head out to the grocery store, take a quick inventory of what’s already in your pantry, freezer, and fridge. Compare these items to what you’ve written down on your shopping list. This helps you avoid buying duplicates, save money, and reduce food waste.
Become a Savvy Shopper
It might be tempting only to buy brand-name foods. However, this can also be more expensive. Instead, choose store-brand items, including pasta and beans. These products are typically cheaper and include the same ingredients as those sold by big-name brands. You can also buy cheaper cuts of meat. These are just as mouth-watering as premium cuts. Braise or slow-cook tougher cuts to make them more tender.
Another savvy shopping tip is to buy healthy staples in bulk. These can include dried fruit, grains, nuts, and cereals. Buying in bulk lowers the overall cost of these products and protects the planet by reducing packaging waste.
Lastly, avoid purchasing pre-packaged foods, like microwavable dinners. Not only are pre-packaged foods unhealthy, but they can significantly increase the cost of your groceries.
Meal Plan to Save Money
The prior three tips all lead up to your meal planning. After you’ve decided on your weekly meals, made your list, and shopped for your groceries, you’ll want to dedicate one day or afternoon a week to prepping whatever you can ahead of time to have ready-made food for the week. Smart meal-planning strategies help busy caregivers save time and money.
Take some time every Sunday to plan and prep your weekly meals. If you haven’t meal prepped before, start with just lunches. As you get the hang of it, you can also start planning and prepping dinners. You can even make some meals to freeze for those extra-busy days.
We Support Our Employees’ Total Well-Being
Are you looking for a fulfilling, flexible career that works with your busy lifestyle? Visiting Angels of Bartlesville, OK, is always hiring certified HHAs, CNAs, and LTCAs throughout Bartlesville, Dewey, Nowata, and Ramona.
We support our staff’s well-being with PTO, flexible schedules, and a friendly and nurturing work environment.
Explore our employment opportunities or contact us at (918) 333-7400 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!