Eating Healthy While Saving Money

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Article Title:

Eating Healthy While Saving Money

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Article Description:

Today, when everyone wants to watch their budget, cost

cutting is the name of the game and our diets frequently

suffer as a result. However, there are a number of ways to

save money and still eat reasonably healthy foods, rather

than sacrificing one for the other.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2010-01-14 11:30:00

Written By: Janet

Copyright: 2010

Contact Email: mailto:janet.davis@...

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Eating Healthy While Saving Money

Copyright © 2010 Janet

Mark and Janet

http://www.MarkandJanet.com/

Everyone wants to be healthy. Nobody likes getting sick or

feeling like they're out of shape. However, many people seem to

deny themselves one of the easiest ways to live well - the

healthy diet. Reasons vary from personal taste to lack of

available options, but one reason that seems to come up more than

it should is the cost.

In many cases, healthy foods can be rather pricey compared to

their more processed alternatives. Today, when everyone wants to

watch their budget, cost cutting is the name of the game and our

diets frequently suffer as a result. However, there are a number

of ways to save money and still eat reasonably healthy foods,

rather than sacrificing one for the other.

What is healthy eating?

In the last twenty years dieticians have gone from the Four Food

Groups to two separate incarnations of the food pyramid. Specific

proportions may vary, but some rules of thumb for healthy eating

still apply.

Adults should consume a minimum number of calories per day to

meet the body's energy needs, while exercising enough to keep

their weight stable. People need a certain number of vitamins and

minerals, plus plenty of water and supplemental nutrients like

fiber to help the body function properly.

The general theme of healthy eating is one of balance. Certain

fats and LDL cholesterol are good for the body, while trans fats

should be avoided. Organic foods are definitely a healthy choice,

as they lack the chemical content of pesticide-treated foods,

allowing consumers better control of what goes into their bodies.

However, no one list can say what is healthy for 'everyone,'

because each person has different requirements. Advising people

to eat organic, whole-wheat toast for fiber and healthy

carbohydrates is great, until you realize that some people's

bodies can't process the gluten in wheat.

Also, some people may indulge in certain less wholesome foods

that don't automatically ruin an otherwise healthy diet, when

considered against the whole picture. After all, if you're

eating a fruit and vegetable heavy diet, with protein from easily

digested sources like eggs and soy, having the occasional slice

of white bread is not going to sabotage your diet.

The trick is to look for your specific nutritional needs, your

personal tastes and preferences, and to then balance your diet

around them.

OK, but what about that expensive part?

Choosing organic over heavily processed foods is healthier, but

it also can be pricier, making the decision a bit difficult.

Today we have a great variety of tools at our disposal, new and

old, to keep the prices down. Fresh produce is often less

expensive that pre-packaged foods. For example, a banana often

costs less than a candy bar and is a much healthier choice.

Cash in on coupons and promotions.

Generally your local market will send out ads detailing all the

deals they're planning to offer over the next week, as well as a

variety of in-store coupons. With organic foodstuffs seeing

greater demand every year, stores are beginning to include these

goods in their promotions.

There are a number of websites that offer weekly tips and updates

on the shopping deals available in a particular area, so do a

little research, clip some coupons, and look for deals. Many

stores are beginning to offer online-only promotions, with

coupons or vouchers printed from their websites.

Tap into your local farming community.

Join a local producers' newsgroup, and shop around for deals. If

your local supermarket is selling organic zucchini at fifty cents

a pound, but a friend at the farmer's market is supplying it for

thirty, you know where to go. Network with people and keep in

touch. A few minutes spent on the news board each day can save

you hundreds in the long run.

Plant your own garden.

Maximize your outdoor space to plant anything from peas and

peppers to lettuce and tomatoes. Even if you only have enough

room for a few herbs that you grow indoors, that can add up to

savings.

Any effort to save money requires a little time and thought. If

you want to eat healthy without draining your wallet, take a half

hour each week to do the research and prepare your strategy.

Approach the effort as a challenge, rather than an obstacle and

you'll be on your way to healthy eating that won't break the

bank.

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Janet and her husband are health and nutrition

entrepreneurs and founders of Mark And Janet, a website

with uncompromising, premium products for your health

conscious family. For more on going green -- Visit us at:

http://www.MarkandJanet.com/ or check out our blog at

http://www.MarkandJanetBlog.com/