eating healthy at a lower cost
It's an important challenge for families to provide nutritious meals and still maintain their budget. Fortunately there are tools out there to guide families in the right direction.
Sometimes it appears that buying low-cost food(s) means buying less healthier options--there is that eye-catching pause in the aisles of a supermarket which draws your attention to the pre-made, "on sale" choices.
Unfortunately this often leads to unhealthy, high-sodium selections.
One way to find out information on buying healthy foods on a budget is through the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Good Food on a Tight Budget launch.
Some of their 'best buy' findings (noted on their website by a price tag symbol) include:
Fruits: banana, orange juice, nectarines, pear, watermelon, California raisins and prunes
Vegetables: broccoli, collards, romaine, mustard greens, parsley, pumpkin, carrots, tomato juice, potatoes, alfalfa sprouts, cabbage, green onions and onions
Related: How To Pack Healthier Snacks For School
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service also recently studied nearly 5,000 foods based on price per calories, price per edible gram and price per average portion.
Their research indicated that carrots, onions, pinto beans and mashed potatoes are all less expensive per portion than ice cream, sweet rolls, pork chops and ground beef.
And interestingly, protein foods and food high in saturated fat, added sugars and sodium were all more expensive than fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains based on their methods of analysis.
Related: The Drought: Tips for Beating Rising Food Costs
Basically the message here is that families can eat well and not break the bank while doing it.
So while The Centers for Disease Control has found that less than 14% of U.S. adults consume 2-4 servings of fruits & vegetables per day--economics do not seem or need to be the roadblock.
Another great source for healthy, inexpensive meals can be found here. These "heart healthy" recipes break it down by price so you know exactly what you're spending on your next trip to the grocery store.
The USDA also offers families tips on eating healthier through their ChooseMyPlate.gov initiative. Among their suggestions to improve on your meal choices is: "The 3 P's," Plan, Purchase & Prepare.
This is a great resource for families on-the-go who are looking to stay within their food budget.
Bottom-line: it is possible to feed your family health and nutritious meals and you can even seek out guidance on how to do so.
So, do your homework--and eat well!
How do you eat healthy and save money doing so?
Tara Weng is the national editor of parenting and health for GalTime. She is also a media consultant with a focus on medical and consumer topics. Her professional experience includes a stint as a medical/features producer at the NBC affiliate in Boston, MA and a media relations position at a top teaching hospital in Boston. Tara has also done public relations consulting work and has written for several online and print media outlets. She is a wife and a mother to two children (who are fantastic) and an enthusiastic New England sports fan.
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