Healthy eating doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive.
While reports state that food costs have shot up by about 70% in the last five years and grocery bills are rising rapidly, you can still stick to your budget and eat healthy.
Here are a few pocket-friendly food items that you can count on for a healthy you
Bananas: A good source of potassium, magnesium and carbs, bananas not only provide high energy and fibre but also help regulate bowel movements keeping constipation away. The fruit packs a whole lot of minerals and vitamins and is known to keep muscle cramps at bay. One of the favourite fruits of sportsmen, bananas provide quick energy and helps relieves stress too to a great extent.
Curd: Called a superfood, the humble curd or dahi as it’s popularly known is mostly available in every Indian household and offers loads of health benefits. Rich in nutrients, consuming fresh curd regularly is known to improve digestion. The good bacteria in curd helps enhance gut health, boosts immunity and aids in weight loss too. Curd is the base for a whole lot of dishes be it Dahi Kadhi, Raita, Dahi vada, Chaat to name a few. Curd is a staple in traditional south Indian homes and a bowl of the simple and delicious Tayir Shadam is what you’d mostly turn to especially if nothing else suits your palate or pocket.
Millets: Take your pick from a whole variety of millets be they sorghum, foxtail, pearl or any other. These nutritious grains contain loads of iron, calcium and are a good source of dietary fibre. With a lower glycemic index, these tuberous millets ease digestion and are good for your heart too. Millets have anti-inflammatory properties, boost metabolism and are economical also.
Sweet potatoes: Loaded with vitamins and minerals, sweet potatoes, a root vegetable is yet another superfood. Rich in beta-carotene and carbohydrates, sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index. They help improve immunity, brain health and is among the most sought foods for a fast. Sweet potatoes are mostly easy to digest. Boiled, roasted, mashed or in any other form, these are filling and easy on the pocket too.
Moong/Green gram: A nutrient dense oval-shaped legume, moong is a great source of plant-based protein. Sprout them, split them, eat them whole – these contain high levels of dietary fibre. Moong is known to aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and is an energy booster. Many count on moong for help with weight loss too.
You’re Stronger Than You Think
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, but remember—you are much stronger than you realize. Tough times may make you feel stuck or lost, but you’ve overcome challenges before and you will again. Life’s difficulties don’t define you; your resilience and determination do. Keep moving forward, even if it’s one small step at a time. Staying fit during life’s challenges isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about supporting your mind and spirit too.
