8/31/10

How to….. Eat Healthy on a Budget

Note: I wanted to talk about Food Inc. today..I really, really did. But I haven't managed to fully wrap my head around what it is I want to say (there is so much, where does one begin??) so I thought I would share this article with you. It's one of my writing samples but its also relevant to one of the key issues I took away from Food Inc. and that is the cost associated with healthy eating. I hope you like it!!


It seems that everywhere you turn there is a growing emphasis on nutrition as a part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Nowadays there is little doubt that a wholesome and balanced diet is good for your well being, longevity and ultimately your waistline but what about your pocketbook? Food prices across the country have been on the rise in recent years and healthy fare is no exception. Everything from apricots to zucchini have seen a noticeable increase in the last decade which can make grocery shopping for the cost-conscious consumer quite challenging. That’s not too say that eating healthy while maintaining a budget is impossible but it does take some planning:

Buy in Bulk

Non-perishable items like rice, grains (quinoa, couscous, and bulgur), dried beans, nuts and seeds are less expensive per serving when purchased in larger quantities. Stocking a pantry with these hearty dietary staples can save you both money and time when putting together a weekly meal plan.

Homemade- The Preferred Choice

Prepackaged meals may save you time but there is usually a price tag attached to the convenience. Making meals from scratch can lower your grocery bill while also allowing you to control the quality of the ingredients that go into your food. Double or triple the recipe for homemade soups, stews, chili and lasagna and freeze the rest for quick and nutritious meals throughout the week.

Buy What’s In-Season

Produce tends to be cheaper when it is in season because there is less cost associated with getting it from the farm nearby to your local grocery store. Planning your shopping list around those items which are available now can save you money and ensure that you get all the nutritional benefits of food that didn’t ripen on a truck while it was shipped from thousands of miles away.

Farmer’s markets and roadside stands in rural communities are other options that can also offer some of your favorite fruits and vegetables at better prices then many supermarkets.

Go Vegetarian (At Least Some of the Time)

For many people going meat-free is an ethical decision but it can also add up to huge savings over the course of the year. Eating two or three meat free meals a week should reduce the amount of money that you spend on food on a monthly basis as well as potentially providing noticeable health benefits over the long term. As an added bonus, less meat can also encourage you to get more creative in the kitchen and experiment with new foods and different recipes.

Dine In

Eating out at restaurants can be an enjoyable experience but it isn’t necessarily the best choice when being frugal or health conscious. One meal in a restaurant often has the same price tag as the groceries for several meals made at home and will more than likely contain more fat and sodium then the food you would typically prepare for yourself. Reserve dining out for special occasions and instead create an experience out of eating in by using decorative plates and table linens, lighting a few candles and playing soft music in the background. Alternatively, having a themed meal (Mexican Fiesta, Indoor Picnic etc) can be a fun way to engage the entire family without even needing to leave the house.

Pack a Lunch

Similar to dining in a restaurant for supper, eating takeout for lunch can have a negative impact on your health and your bank account if done too often. Bringing a lunch from home is not only a less expensive alternative but also tends to be the healthier choice. Nutritious eating on-the-run isn’t impossible but it can be challenging when you are in a rush during your lunch hour. You can save time by making bigger quantities of your healthy dinner the night before and packing leftovers for the next day.

Healthy eating is an integral part of a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle but it doesn’t have to be a financial burden. Learning a few quick and easy cost-saving tips can lower your food bill while allowing you to maintain a diet rich in nutrition.

So tell me, how do you save money on food?

19 comments:

  1. Great ideas! With a little planning and prep, it doesn't have to be hard or cost lots!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great tips! Dining in and packing a lunch are definitely big ones for me. I also only buy organic what's recommended (dirty dozen) and save on everything else.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Packing a lunch is a big saver for me. And I also browse grocery store ads online before I go... to see which one has better deals on what I'm planning to buy...

    I get quite a few comments on my blog about my vegetarian eating- or when I do actually eat meat (because I'll only buy it on sale), they say they thought I was vegetarian the entire time... :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great tips! I think one important thing is to know what foods will always satisfy you and to keep them stocked in your kitchen. That way, when you're tempted to order in or go out for a bite, you'll know that you have something good at home already. For me, those foods are: Oatmeal, black beans, rice, eggs, and veggies. Also, TRADER JOE'S! I used to think it just wasn't convenient for me because it was a pretty far train ride, but I'm going to make the effort to go there at least once a month. I was recently there and the bananas were 19 cents, while a bundle of grapes was around $2.50. You can't beat it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I dine in and pack lunches for most meals. I try to incorporate some meatless meals every week...and I adore the farmer's market!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Excellent tips...

    I love bulk-buying and I wish I had a big freezer so I could make a ton of dishes and freeze them. I'll put it on my Christmas list :)

    And going meatless is a sure fire way to lower the weekly grocery bill!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We do so many things on that list. I especially agree with the vegetarian one. We aren't completely vegetarian but I do enjoy cooking that way more often now. Delicious and cheaper!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great tips! I'm in college so I save money by going home and taking my parents food haha I'm terrible! Also, we buy in bulk. So when I do come home on a weekend we will buy a huge thing of strawberries and split it. It works nicely!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your tips are all so practical. Also one of the best way to reduce weight. Losing weight is not all about foods but also about self-discipline.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's an amazing paragraph designed for all the online visitors; they will obtain benefit from it I am sure.
    My blog post ; amphora pipe tobacco

    ReplyDelete
  11. I do not know if it's just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing problems with your blog. It looks like some of the text on your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my browser because I've had this happen
    before. Appreciate it
    Also see my webpage > mac baren

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there everyone, it's my first visit at this site, and piece of writing is genuinely fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these articles or reviews.
    Here is my web page - http://www.yourtobaccosstore.com/10-amphora

    ReplyDelete
  13. I enjoy reading an article that can make people think.

    Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
    Here is my page ; asuntoturkista.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. With all these you can have access to all the features
    of Xbox Live. The best time to visit the Microsoft website is when
    there happens to be an event that touches on gaming such as the launch of
    an entirely new game. There is nothing open
    and even if there were you spent way too much money
    on gifts.

    my website ... microsoft points codes

    ReplyDelete
  15. In the final stages, the dimpling is obvious both when lying down and standing up.
    And also some of the underweight people are also such complaints.
    There may be a new and innovative cellulite treatment available now:
    cryotherapy.

    Here is my blog post ... Get rid of cellulite

    ReplyDelete
  16. It seems the Gujarat investors are returning to real estate business
    after an interval. Are you sitting on the sidelines, waiting for things to
    "settle down" or are you available finding bargains in the market.
    The activity can occur immediately before or after the
    meeting.

    My web-site vuokrataan asunto

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could
    add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.

    I've been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping
    maybe you would have some experience with something
    like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward
    to your new updates.

    Look at my website :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9T6T...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Make sure the peat is top quality and never matter
    from your yard which will comprise unwanted seeds.

    Look at my web page: top dressing lawn service

    ReplyDelete