How Can I Afford to Eat Healthy?

The cost of healthy food is one of the biggest challenges to healthy eating.  There are many great tips that can help us to obtain healthy, nutritious foods.

 Top Tip List:

Choose more whole foods and fewer processed foods – Whole foods are more filling and we tend to eat less.  When you compare the cost and benefit of a bag of apples versus a bag of potato chips, you might be surprised to find that the apples are a much better deal per serving.  You will likely also be surprised at the money you save if you cut processed foods from your grocery list.  This money could be put toward more nutritious choices.

Cut out sweetened drinks – Families can save large sums of money and improve health by eliminating these drinks from the grocery bill.

Drink more water – Water is inexpensive and helps fill us up.  Often when we think we are hungry, we are actually thirsty.  Refilling a reusable water bottle versus buying water bottles helps with environmental health as well.

Mindful eating brings more awareness to the process of eating.  Have you ever been eating a bag or package of something and before you knew it, it was empty?!  Do you know how many crackers you had out of the package, or do you just eat them without thinking about it?  We are even more likely to do this if we are eating while watching TV or a movie or driving. This would be termed “mindless eating” and is one contributor to the tendency to overeat.  If we take each bite and consciously savor it, being mindful as we eat, the benefits include a more fulfilling meal, lower consumption and lower cost.

  USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs Can Help Make Ends Meet

Individuals qualifying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with children in school qualify for free lunch and breakfast.  If you are low-income and pregnant, breastfeeding, a new mom or have children under five years old, you might qualify for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a Federal program that provides food to low-income persons.