On Wednesday, I took you through some of the basics of making affordable changes to your diet and lifestyle to help manage endometriosis. Today, I want to give you some shopping hacks that I’ve used to fit these changes into my budget.

You don’t have to spend hundreds on equipment

A lot of books and food bloggers will recommend the best of the best for processors and blenders. And yes, maybe these do go the extra mile, but also be aware that these people run a business. Whether it’s a book or a blog, they need the good equipment to make the gorgeous recipes. Do you really need a Vitamix? Or will a cheaper blender do? I’m not saying to go and buy something that’s going to break after a few uses, but equally, don’t fall under the illusion that your kitchen needs to be the replica of the food blogger you follow on Instagram.

I’ve been using a Breville blender since I first got into smoothies, and for about two years, I used it every single day for pesto, sauces, and smoothies. It cost me less than £20 ($28) and has lasted over three years. And it’s not just me who loves it either: My friend is a vegan gourmet chef and loves Breville blenders! One day, I’d like to have a Vitamix or NutriBullet, but I don’t need it right now.

One thing I didn’t want to budge on was a food processor. When I first got into the endo diet, I wanted to make everything from scratch, including nut butter, which you need a really good food processor for. I bought the Magimix after about two years of hoping, wishing, and saving, but I still bought it on eBay. Now, ironically, I no longer make nut butter, but the Magimix has proven to be one of the best investments I’ve made. We use it weekly for everything from gluten-free bread to juices to chopping onions.

Having said all of this, it turns out my lovely chef friend also has a cheap trick up her sleeve here. If you do want to make your own condiments, nut butter, and sauces, the Kenwood Mini Chopper is her go-to and can be found for under £25 ($35), often around the £17 ($23.80) mark secondhand or if you shop around. Kenwood is also known to make really high-quality food processors at more affordable prices. Again, I would go to eBay or hunt online for a discounted price (or wait until a sales period).

Finally, to wrap up this subject: You don’t have to buy these things all at once, and they most definitely aren’t essentials. Most everyday recipes don’t require a food processor, so perhaps get started with cooking first and work out what you feel you’d benefit from before you go and buy a whole new kitchen!

Shop around

This is something I’m learning to do more these days, mainly because my supplement habit is either taking a chunk of my income or I simply can’t buy the supplements I need. So, now I’m being smarter with my shopping and am taking a bit more time to find out where I can buy things at a discounted rate.

In the United Kingdom, Dolphin Fitness is an incredible resource for supplements, beauty products, and cupboard products like nut butter and protein powders. All these things are at the more expensive end of my shopping list, so I often go without them because I see them as luxuries. However, websites like Dolphin Fitness offer big discounts. Vitacost seems to be a similar website in the United States, and it’s likely that there are sites like this that ship worldwide or to your country — do some research.

Loyalty cards are also your best friend. My local health shop has a loyalty card that gives me £5 ($7) off once I have enough stamps. I use that discount for my more expensive purchases, like vitamins.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to buy in bulk. Amazon is a great place to find things like oats, rice, beans, and even superfood powders like cacao at good prices and in large quantities.

You don’t have to be perfect

I know you want to do everything right when it comes to the endometriosis diet. But the truth is, everyday lifestyles and budgets can’t always accommodate cooking from scratch or buying all organic.

When it comes to organic food, my suggestion is to stick to the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15. If you can get organic options of the Dirty Dozen, great. But don’t stress about the others for now.

As with all changes, start simple and see how you feel from there.

What are your hacks for affordable endometriosis management?

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Note: Endometriosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Endometriosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to endometriosis.