The year 2009 has brought an economic roller coaster our way at a very fast pace. Prices for products and services have increased including trips to the grocery store for food. A trip to the grocery store can be very expensive. But, with a little effort in planning healthy meals, you can learn to eat healthy even on a tight budget. Here are five tips to help you eat healthy for less:
1. Shop For Specials: Grocery stores usually advertise weekly specials on food products. Be sure to watch for flyers advertising weekly sales, coupons and special prices to take advantage of the specials whenever possible. Stock up on the products you use while on sale. To eat healthier, begin reading labels to compare the nutritional value of products. When comparing the products, check the prices and make sure you are getting your money's worth on the products you choose. For example, did you know that frozen juice has more vitamin C that ready to drink juice? When you buy juice, make sure it's 100% juice and not a juice drink, which only has about 10% fruit juice in it.
2. Buy Fruits & Vegetables: In order to develop healthier eating habits, be sure to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. The cost of these foods will be less costly if you purchase fresh produce and buy them in season. It will be less expensive to buy apples in the fall of the year and oranges, lemons and limes in the winter.
3. Eat Appropriate Size Portions: Limit the amount of food that you eat at mealtime. Moderation is the key. You can significantly stretch the amount of food to prepare and serve when people have limited their portions. Begin by decreasing the meat portion of the meal, and then add whole grains or wheat pasta foods. Whole grain products provide a lot of nutrients and are inexpensive to buy. Meat portions should be served in small portions. Beans can be used as a substitute for meat and can provide some of the same proteins and fiber.
4. Keep Away From Fast Foods: Find ways to have food available that can be prepared quickly in order to avoid buying fast foods. When cooking your nutritious meals, be sure to prepare enough for freezing so that it can be used at a later time. Having healthy foods available makes meal preparation much easier and faster. Therefore, you will have healthy meals on hand and less likely to pick up fast foods.
The cost of groceries has increased, but it is no more expensive to buy nutritional foods. It's just a matter of getting into the habit of planning a balanced diet in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Of course, the planning also includes staying within your food budget.
Retired social services administrator, Shirley McNeal, owner of My Southern Home Place...The Bargain Store for Wholesale Gifts, Collectibles & Decor located at http://www.mysouthernhomeplace.com presents this article. We are a family owned and operated online store. We celebrate families, children, health and home and our business reflects these core values. We have a passion for bringing you and your family affordable products you will enjoy using and sharing with your friends and family. We invite you to visit our bargain store to see the variety of products, resources, gift registry services, as well as a work at home opportunity and fundraiser program available for you.
