In today's world food is relatively cheap in most industrialized countries. We are spending less of our disposable income for food than at any time in human history. Much of the reason for that lower budget is genetically engineered food, prepackaged food with cheap, unhealthy ingredients and snack items that only serve to fill the stomach rather than nourish the body have become the norm. We have become a society that lives to eat rather than eats to live, and we are paying the price with conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension, among other health issues.
Perhaps we should all look at foods that are not only inexpensive, but provide a higher nutritional value for the money we spend. Here we will offer a strategy to not only keep the food budget in line, but get a higher nutritional payback in return.
1. Spend more, waste less. It's said that the average American wastes on average 1400 calories a day per person. This is food that goes into the garbage can. Maybe that is because food is so cheap, that we don't place a great value on it. Our grandparents put much more of their hard-earned money into food, so they found ways to extract as much as they could out of every morsel. This meant making soup out of leftovers instead of discarding them, and making two smaller meals from the ingredients of what is now one overly large meal.
2. Plan ahead, and shop more often. Preparing fresh foods rather than canned or highly processed foods are better for your health. But they obviously won't last as long, which means a daily trip to the market might be necessary. But it is time well spent, as getting fresh food and preparing it immediately will only take a few minutes, but it's an investment in your health.
3. Buy organic whenever possible. Organic food generally costs more, but is also better for you. Not all organic foods will yield the same health benefits, so pick and choose what you want to buy organically. This will take some research, but animal foods will concentrate pesticides in higher amounts than vegetable products. You will get more return for your money when buying organic if you by meat, butter, eggs and other animal products that are organically produced.
4. Buy nonperishable items in bulk. This is where to use a buyer's club and stock up, as well as buying from bins that save packaging costs that are passed along to you.
5. Saving money when eating out. Most of the time the portion sizes we get in restaurants are about twice as much as we really require to stay healthy. Most of the rest that we consume just goes into storage. There are things we can do to avoid that unsightly prospect and still avoid point number one: wasting food. If you're a senior, order off the senior menu.
You get less food for less cost, both good things. Also, split the portion and take the rest home for another meal.
6. Save money when traveling. It is becoming easier to find lodging with small kitchens. You can then pick up your groceries to prepare in your room, therefore saving on an expensive restaurant cost and having more control over your food intake.
On our website we talk about of the healthiest and heartiest of all foods for breakfast and other meals. Read more about healthy foods and how they combine to add to a diet that keeps us fit on our website http://healtheybalanceddiet.com/. Rich Carroll is a writer and avid health advocate now living in Chicago.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rich_Carroll
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