This really useful blog on how to eat raw on a budget was put together by the lovely Emma who used to run this site, and it is packed full of great info. But I just wanted to add in something that I’ve noticed nobody is talking about in terms of getting the most value from your food: the power of simple, conscious eating.
If you want to make your food go further, eat as simply as possible. Look at what foods you are combining together. Could you use less ingredients? Could you even try mono-eating? (That means eating one kind of food at a time. Works better with bananas than with ginger, admittedly).
(You might think ‘how does this save me money?’ but it’s logical when you think about it. The less energy your body needs to expend figuring out how to break down complex meals, the more energy it has for YOU. Therefore, the less energy you need, and the less food you need to eat.)
Then, when you’re eating your simple, well-combined foods, eat slowly. Then eat even slower. Chew everything completely thoroughly. When you swallow each mouthful, continue to track your food as it travels through your body, instead of just forgetting about it and shovelling another forkful in once there’s any room in your mouth.
Notice the little adjustments your body makes as the food is assimilated.
Eat for your WHOLE BODY, not just your taste buds.
As you continue to eat, be aware of all the nutrition in the food you are consuming. Use your imagination to enhance that nutrition, in just the same way as a top athlete would use the power of his mind when training his body. Offer gratitude for all the nourishment you are receiving and visualise it feeding your body in the absolute perfect way possible.
I have used this technique many times, particularly when I have been travelling and faced with limited food choices, and it really does work to keep me feeling full on less food.
OK enough of all this weirdo mind stuff – now over to Emma for some great practical advice! ~Lisa, April 2016
Having recently been made redundoid (redundantly raw) I thought this would be a useful topic. I’ve had to cut back a little, ok, A LOT on my food spending of late. I’ll blog a bit more about my own experiences of eating raw on a budget and how I’ve saved cash over the next wee while but meantime, check out these awesome sites on how to eat raw without breaking the bank.
***Updated 25th May 2011***
7 Tips for Saving Money with Raw Foods by Kristen’s Raw
The Best of Raw Food – Raw Food Diet Money Savers (great link to wild greens blog)
8th May 2011
Raw on $10 a Day (or Less!) – this was the first website I found on raw on a budget. I love how creative this lady is with her food options and the gorge menu cards 🙂
Beautiful on Raw – great tips on ways to cut back
Raw Food on a Budget book by Brandi Rollins – 40 strategies for eating raw on a budget. The Raw Foods on a Budget website includes 2 free chapters and lots of great information on lots of other stuff
Raw on a Budget – Melissa Mango (yes really) guest blogs on Mr Philip’s blog about how to save the dosh with your nosh
Eating Raw on a Budget – Karen Knowler The Raw Food Coach shares her top tips
The stunning Natasha at Raw Radiant Health shares her video blog on the Raw Food Diet and Being on a Budget
If you know a great raw food on a budget resource that isn’t listed here leave a comment below!
So which one was your fave book and why? And what was the best recipe? Or do you have a fab recipe of your own you could share? x
I’m all about Dan the Man at the moment, seems he’s doing a series on the budget stuff. This is an awesome recipe. I lived on courgettie and sauce for weeks when I went raw and budget-wise, it’s the BOMB! Although I do add in some oil and maybe sun-dried toms too. yum. I want some now!!!
http://www.regenerateyourlife.org/blog/healthy-on-a-budget-low-fat-spaghetti-w-tomato-n-basil/
When I first went raw, I was 100% and totally unemployed as well as living in a caravan with no plumbing or elecricity. I am a living prrof that a raw diet can be done on a budget. Those expensive superfoods and ‘treat’s are unnecessary. Its all about the local fruit and veg!! hurrah for real food 😉
That’s awesome! It’s defo possible to do it on a budget once you know what you’re doing. Also means eating more simply which is ideal for me! When I get back from Iceland I’m gonna blog about how to be redundant and raw…might need to get a job here and there mind you 🙂 x