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Cutting costs at the grocery store is usually the first step to regain control of your spending and save some cash in your household budget. There was a time in history when the poor were thin while thehealthyeating_budget rich got fat, but that is not the case today. Unfortunately when money is tight, finding a way to provide healthy, nutritional meals for yourself and family can be a bit of a challenge. This is especially true if you are trying to stick to organic products which are good for the environment and your health but more expensive. Here are a few tips that can help keep your pantry stocked with healthy foods without busting your budget.

  • Due to the increased popularity of organic products, you no longer have to search high and low or visit specialty stores to ensure your family is eating healthy. In fact, not only do most grocery stores carry organic products, they also have store brand products which will save you more money than buying the equivalent name brand. Look for coupons for your favorite organic products and always check out the clearance or marked-down items that can save you money without sacrificing quality.
  • In an ideal world we would be able to have all organic produce. The reality is there will be times when buying everything organic is not possible. It is important to know that some produce is “dirtier” than others. Avoid up to 80% of pesticides by choosing onions, corn, pineapple, broccoli, peas and asparagus that is non-organic. Buy organic grapes, cherries, apples, strawberries and carrots whenever possible as they are part of the worst “offenders” group for contamination.
  • Limit or eliminate sodas and juice. These sweet beverages not only pose a threat to your health, they are costly as well. With more children and adults dealing with obesity and diabetes, it makes sense to closely monitor the amount of soft drinks and juice consumed by your family.
  • Experiment with different recipes to find meals that cost less yet provide a balanced diet for your family. This includes trying to incorporate beans, lentils and other legumes into your meal rotation. Reduce the amount of meat needed for your meals and see your grocery bill get smaller. You can do this by modifying your recipe to reduce the amount of meat needed, thus satisfying your craving for meat without costing a ton of money.
  • Shop at the local farmers market or consider joining a co-op which allows you to buy straight from the farmer. This not only supports the local economy but also allows you to put food on your table that originated around the block versus around the world. This results in food that is less expensive, less damaging to the environment and fresher than those found in the grocery aisle.

Eating healthy is important regardless of the state of the economy. These tips should help you save money on your grocery bill while still gaining the benefits of eating a balanced diet.



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