Health Is Wealth, But Doesn’t Require Wealth: Debunking The Myth That Healthy Living Is Expensive

There has been a long-running myth that living a healthy lifestyle is such an expensive one, and only those who have the cash can afford to stay in the pink of health. While you may see tons of advertisements about slimming food supplements, expensive health gym clubs, and other lifestyle fads that give people the illusion of health, it is actually a big, fat, terrible lie that getting in shape requires money. With that in mind, what are the most common misconceptions about the price of staying fit? Here are the most recurring myths about the cost of healthy living:

1. You need the top-tier facilities and equipment offered by high-end gyms

Whenever you see pamphlets or posters of health and fitness clubs, you will often see catch phrases such as “state-of-the-art equipment” or “superb facilities” in big bold letters. And then when you look at their rates, you will see that a monthly subscription to these gyms require you to shell out tons of cash. While their machines may help you to lose weight or pack some tight muscles, this doesn’t mean that they are a necessity in staying in shape. There are tons of gyms out there that are not as expensive and heavily advertised like the big chains, or you can make use of common household materials for your makeshift gym. If you see through the advertising, you will see that they offer just the same.

2. Healthy ingredients are expensive and hard to find

When you browse through healthy recipe sites, you may see a lot dishes that have alien-sounding names: quinoa, balsamic vinegar, arugula, and other foreign ingredients that you may not find in your local flea market. To be honest, these unfamiliar ingredients are actually healthy, but the supply of these ingredients here is low, thus pushing the price off the charts. If you really want to eat healthy dishes without blowing a hole in your wallet, then you may just want to stick with local produce. They may not sound alien to you, but they also pack the same nutritious goodness without giving you the hard time pronouncing them. Also, they’re much cheaper.

3. “Superfoods” are way better than your regular food

You may have heard the following names: food items such as koji berries, chia, wheatgrass, quinoa, and other obscure items have been heavily promoted as Superfoods, or food products that have tons of benefits. Sure, these Superfoods are oozing with nutrients that cannot be found on regular foodstuff, but these items have ridiculous markup because carriers know that health schmucks will definitely fall for them. Do you actually need them? Not really, if you want to eat cheap, fresh, and nutritious. But if you feel like jumping the superfood bandwagon, then by all means shell out some cash for these Superfoods

4. You cannot grow your own produce if you live in the city

If there’s a will, there’s a way, and the same is also applicable when it comes to growing your own vegetables. While a lot of people living in the province have enough space to grow some of the most basic vegetables, city living is much more complicated; the lack of gardening space alone makes it a difficult task for people who want to try cultivating their own veggies. However, there are certain vegetables that start growing even when you’re in the city, especially now that urban gardening is now on the rise. Vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and others can be grown even with limited space. From makeshift soil beds to hanging pots and other techniques, growing your own produce in the city has never been easier.

5. You need tons of food supplements to compensate for your nutritional deficit

There are tons of food supplements available in the market, and you can think of any deficit they can address: poor eyesight, high blood sugar, multivitamins, and so much more—supplement manufacturers definitely have an answer to one of your myths. However, you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to such bitter pills. Instead, you can just buy high-quality produce or fill your fridge with all the good and healthy stuff. Remember, supplements do not make up for your nutritional deficiencies, and the best way to still get those vitamins and minerals is by eating healthy.

In a nutshell, there is no direct link between spending a lot of money and living a healthy lifestyle. While there may be some choices for you that may require you to shell out some cash, keep in mind that money cannot buy health. Instead, use your money wisely and prudently to become fit and fab.