Eating Healthy isn't always easy if you are on a tight budget, especially if you want to go natural or organic as a food lifestyle. Personally if you have chosen to do that I applaud your desire and encourage you to work toward that goal earnestly. The choice to do just that is contrary to the standard industry offerings; although, they are running to catch up with the growing awareness in the consumer sector.
So what can you do for your family on a budget that won't kill them eventually. The same principles are true for economics in healthy food that are natural or organic as those that have been enhanced. The most inexpensive offerings in any category will always be vegetables; and luck would have it that vegetables are among the best and most wholesome foods we need to consume daily.
If we added extra correctly prepared vegetables to every meal and lowered the portions of meats, breads & pasta in each meal, you will have a win win. Make your breads whole grain with low sugar and salt.- You have lowered the average cost of the meal.
- Raised the nutritional value by adding essential nutrients readily available raw vegetables.
- You have lowered the fat, carbohydrates and sugar.
- You have more adequately balanced the underlying property of you meal and now, it not only taste good, it is good.
Healthy Foods do Have Fats
Don't think I am saying we don't need fats, sugar and carbs, yes we do, but in smaller and leaner portions than we customarily enjoy.
Everything in moderation is not an outdated idea. Additionally; when you're looking to go healthy try using more chicken, turkey and seafood. They will give you the meat we gotta have and less of the stuff we don't need. When you want to know how to prepare any of these foods in an appetizing way, check out food network for a lot of good ideas. Its in the Technique; yes, it's true. You're adeptness with you pan will matter. Technique is about 9/10 of the equation. I know people who can make a pile of crap taste like a perfect fillet Mignon.
Cooking Methods are Key factors
Don't fret so much about the cut of beef or pork chicken or seafood. The value is in the mode of preparation. When you can take a bargain cut and use braising, stewing ,steaming or slow roasting to prepare a delicious meal you've created value and a great meal.To learn more about selecting beef cuts & different thrifty techniques, check out one of my hubs on this subject. In everything we do in life, we should ask ourselves.Does this represent value in my life and will it benefit society as a whole? It's not just about you....Your Friend in Life & Food 4 Good Live for Success, Stand for Something & Believe George Edmonson Jr
For myself as a college student, budget is everything. When it comes to eating and buying food it's harder than buying my text books! It's especially hard to be healthy being in college as well, which is typical because of the lack in time to make a meal and not to mention money too. This information is really helpful because you can forget how easy and quick it is to add vegetables to your diet and how much cheaper it can be than say a pizza every night. When grocery shopping, it doesn't seem that way, which I think may be part of my personal problem with buying healthy food verses other, not so healthy foods. This article is just making me want to empty out my fridge and start fresh!
ReplyDeleteWhile healthy food does tend to be more expensive (at least in my local area), you can see how savings are to be had when you consider the longevity healthy food tends to have. Hardy vegetables and fruits tend to last twice as long as sugary and carbohydrate filled foods because they make me feel more filled after eating a portion. While I can get spaghetti for about $1 dollar a box, I can also eat that entire box in one sitting and still be hungry for more.
ReplyDeleteExchanging unhealthy food with healthy food is really rather natural. As human beings we have a tendency to continue performing the same behaviors and eating the same foods as a result of habit, but it is actually a very easy habit to break if you are willing to try! I recently did this myself as I have been getting very tired of my (now old) diet of pizza and spaghetti. Adding healthy food to my diet has been a really great experience for me, as I am now eating a larger range of foods, and enjoying my old favorites even more when I have them! A balanced diet never hurt anyone!