I’m not going to break down any science for you in this article.

Nope. This one is about straight up eating healthy and saving money.

Living a healthy lifestyle can certainly come at a cost. The eating healthy part, specifically, can run up quite a tab.

I’m here to break down for you how I go grocery shopping to both get the nutrients I need while also saving as much money as possible.

So, let’s dive in!

The Grocery Breakdown:

I live in the Pittsburgh area, and for the longest time I shopped at Giant Eagle (the most popular grocery store in this area). Routinely, I’d spend at or near $100 a week on groceries while trying to eat healthy and stay fit.

That certainly adds up quick.

Over the last couple of years, though, my wife and I have started shopping at Costco and buying in bulk. What could be better for a guy that pounds home protein like nobody’s business?

It’s a match made in heaven.

Here’s a breakdown of the foods I buy on the regular and how much each costs. And in the effort of full transparency, there’s this…

I’m billing this as “a month’s worth of groceries for $215.” In actuality for me right now, this lasts me less than a month. BUT, I think for the average consumer what I’ve detailed below is more than enough to last you at least a month.

It’s also packed with protein and nutrients to help you live that healthy lifestyle we’re all after.

My Shopping List:

Dark Roast Coffee — $32

A necessity for me, and many of you, I’m sure. Getting 120 K Cups at this price is a great deal, and that caffeine goes a long way towards contributing towards energy for each day and workout throughout the week!

Top Sirloin Steak — $25

Red meat has become a staple in my diet over the years, and for good reason. It’s one of the most nutritionally dense foods you can eat. Great for you no matter your goal.

24 Chicken Breasts — $55

That’s a lot of chicken, and $55 isn’t a small number, but man can this last you a long time. Cook a few, throw the rest in the freezer and pull them back out when you want to cook up more.

Chicken is packed with protein and low in fat, which is a great staple item for anyone’s diet. And you can dress it up a hundred different ways between spices, sauces, cheeses, and more to keep things interesting.

Kale Chopped Salad — $5.50

Adding veggies is always a good idea, and Kale is packed with nutrients. Plus, it’s not going to add much in terms of calories to your diet. A cheap and smart diet add-on!

Zero-Calorie Water Flavorer — $6

An easy way to ditch the pop habit is substituting that out for a zero-calorie option. Crystal Light tastes really good and adds nothing additional to your diet in terms of calories.

Some people worry about potential negative effects of artificial sweeteners on health, but there’s actually not much research showing a strong correlation between these drinks and health problems. This is a pack of 16 and will certainly last you a month, if not more.

Fresh Salmon — $16

This salmon is seriously tasty and can feed multiple people over several meals. A great source of protein and fats to add to your diet if you like seafood!

Grade AA Large Organic Eggs — $6

That’s 24 eggs for $6, and I think we all know you can dress up eggs in a million different ways. They taste amazing. There’s really no downside here, folks.

And please, for the love of God, eat the yolk! I’ve mentioned nutrient density a few times already, and egg yolks are primetime for healthy nutrients.

Basmati Rice — $18

OK, this is legitimately one of my favorite foods on earth. I know, I know. It’s white rice. Big deal.

White rice agrees with almost everyone’s stomach. It’s easy for your body to digest, and you can mix in a TON of the other foods listed in this article with basmati rice to create a tasty dish.

Oh, and did I mention… THIS IS 20 POUNDS OF RICE. Fam, this is gonna last you a long time.

Whey Protein — $50

This isn’t technically food, but I encourage everyone to get more protein in their diets. The typical American diet just doesn’t have enough protein in it. If you struggle to eat enough protein each day, perhaps a scoop of protein would be a good supplement to your diet.

These bags have 80 servings in them. Once again, we’re talking about a lot of bang for your buck!

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And that’s it. I make a ton of different meals with what’s pictured here. Any combination of these foods will yield a pretty darn healthy diet when implemented regularly.

I normally buy more produce like fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market or grocery store down the street, so all told we’re looking at about $250 for a really healthy base of foods for an entire month.

Let me know what you think and if you have any other recommendations on healthy and affordable foods to try. And give these a shot while you’re at it!

Thanks for reading!

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CGF