Goodbye Overpriced Salad!
Summer is all about spritzes, spontaneous trips, and saying "yes" a little more often—but in reality, our bank accounts could use a breather. The good news? Eating healthy at work doesn't have to mean dropping $20 on a Sweetgreen salad or making a daily Starbucks run, which is why we tapped Melissa Jaeger, RD, LD, Head of Nutrition at MyFitnessPal, for some tips. According to Melissa, one of the biggest myths about healthy eating is that it has to be expensive.
"People assume they need to buy organic or fresh produce in order to 'eat healthy,' but this is a big misconception," she told The Newsette. Instead, she advises stocking your freezer and pantry with frozen vegetables, no-salt-added canned veggies, beans, and fruit packed in 100% juice. They're often less expensive, last much longer, and make it easy to throw together a balanced meal when life gets busy.
If your lunch order is usually a Sweetgreen salad, Melissa says recreating it at home is easier than you might think—and it'll cost a fraction of the price. Start with mixed greens, then layer in shredded cabbage, carrots, canned chickpeas, and any roasted vegetables you already have in the fridge. Finish it with a creamy dressing made from plain Greek yogurt, herbs, and olive oil or lemon juice. Want a little kick? Add a drizzle of Sriracha.
The same goes for your afternoon smoothie habit. Instead of spending upwards of $15 on an Erewhon-worthy blend, Melissa recommends making your own using frozen fruit, Greek yogurt, and protein powder. One of her favorites is a Tropical Post Workout Protein Shake. A key tip? When shopping for protein powder, don't just compare prices. Melissa recommends checking the ingredient list to see what sweeteners and additives are included and looking for third-party testing if supplement quality is important to you.
Bottom line? A few smart swaps—shopping your freezer, buying in bulk, and making restaurant favorites at home—can help you save money without giving up the healthy meals you actually look forward to eating.
