Aug 25 2009
Eat Healthy and Save Money – Tips for Eating Well for Less
Every Baby Boomer I know wants to stay healthy. But as we enter midlife and begin to feel those aches and pains, staying healthy becomes something that should not be taken for granted. I used to kid my grandmother when she would say, “If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything.” I now realize she was right. If I can continue to maintain good health, I can do just about anything I want.
It’s not always easy to eat healthy, and choosing organic, can be very expensive. Lots of tempting fatty foods are “out there” just waiting to be devoured! Guest author Jamie Jefferson has a few ideas that might help you choose the right foods… and save money at the same time.
In the words of the famous Julia Child, “Bon Appetite!”
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Eat Healthy For Less – Tips For Saving Money While Eating Well
Eating well and saving money don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you’ve wanted to eat healthier but think you can’t afford it, think again. The key to eating healthfully on a budget is to plan your purchases, learn to cook from home, buy in bulk and take advantage of local produce. Here are some tips.
One of the biggest money wasters, and threats to good eating, is going to the grocery store without a plan. You can put yourself in an even worse position if you go to the store on an empty stomach.
The grocery store is full of temptations. Foods that are full of fat, calories and additives line the aisles in the stores. Make a list before you leave the house and be sure to have a healthy snack before you go. By preparing yourself before you go you can be sure that you’ll stave off temptation.
The second most important rule in eating healthfully on a budget is to cook at home. Packaged food costs a lot more money than the fresh ingredients that it takes to make them. If you haven’t made a habit of cooking at home before, start with a few simple recipes.
You can always expand your repertoire by taking a local healthy cooking class. When you cook at home, you can add lots of vegetables into recipes that normally don’t have them. Salads, soups and baked chicken meals can be prepared very inexpensively and healthfully at home.
You can save a lot of money at the grocery store by shopping around. Purchase products such as rice and vegetable stock in bulk. If you stock up on these basics you can save a lot of money in the long run.
Also, try to shop from more than just one store. You can often save a lot of money if you shop around and find the best prices. Make sure to arrange your cooking menu around the sales and you’ll always be able to save money. After a few weeks of comparing prices, you’ll know right off the bat where you can save the most on each item that you need.
Any healthy diet should be full of vegetables and fruits. For these, make sure you are looking at sources locally. Take advantage of farmer’s markets and fruit stands in your area. Even if the food is not organic, buying your fruits and vegetables from local farmers has benefits over buying food that is shipped across the state or across the country.
With a little time and dedication to saving money, you can find deals on healthy food. Apply these tips on your next shopping trip and you’ll be eating healthy for less.
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where you’ll find wine discounts and coupons, as well as printable grocery coupons.
