Eating Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy is touted everywhere you look (TV, magazines, books, your doctor, your friends, even me in my articles), but let’s face it – eating healthy can be costly. Fruits and veggies can be expensive and add to that the desire for organic products in general, the cost gets bumped up even more. Here are some tips to cut costs without cutting out these nutritious and tasty foods.

When and where possible, buy locally by searching out nearby farms and/or farmers markets. Not only is the produce as fresh as it can be, but also you are sustaining local businesses.

Start your own garden or arrange a gardening group among friends where each member is responsible for growing a share of the crop. You can keep this manageable by setting your plots in large pots. There may not even be a need to dig a full-on garden – unless you would like to do that. Ready-made or easy-to-make garden beds are often sold at local hardware stores.

Buy foods like whole grains, flour, and nuts from the bulk bins if available. Without all the packaging and labeling, you save on cost and can further save by buying in bulk as long as you store it properly. Also, buy store-brand organics, which often cost less for just-as-good quality.

Remember to buy produce in season if possible. By doing this, you not only avoid paying for shipping hundreds or thousands of miles and other expenses, but also the items will be better quality and tastier as they have not been picked long before they are ripened and arrive at your table. Also, by knowing what’s available seasonally, you can plan your family’s meals accordingly.

As always, there are COUPONS. If you have the patience and the organizational skills (which I lack) to incorporate this art form into your food-shopping program, you can certainly take advantage of many savings.