Some of you know I have been on a crazy health kick lately.  I have been working with Matt, a trainer with Total Health and Fitness, and I have lost 12 lbs and 4% body fat.  I think it something to cheer about, but I can’t wait until I reach my goal and can have desserts again (well I have had a few but don’t tell Matt). 

But all this got me thinking about eating healthy and my food budget.  I found this great article “Healthy, Low Calorie Foods Cost More on Average” with some great insight into the cost of eating healthy.  It talked about how high-calorie foods are usually low in nutrients and cost less over all and extremely less per calorie.  Not only that but inflation rises faster with low calorie, nutrient rich food. The researchers found the price of calorie-dense food was less likely to rise as a result of inflation. During the 2-year study, the price of high-calorie food decreased by 1.8 percent, whereas the price of low-calorie foods increased by 19.5 percent. Considering most bargain shoppers are trying to stretch their incomes as far as possible, the findings may help explain why the highest rates of obesity are among people in lower-income groups.  Based on a standard 2000-calorie diet, the researchers found a diet consisting primarily of calorie-dense foods costs $3.52 a day, but a diet consisting primarily of low-calorie food costs $36.32 a day. The average American eats a variety of foods throughout the day, spending $7 a day.” 

This really opened my eyes and made me think.  I haven’t noticed a huge difference in our finances since we started eating healthier but I haven’t been keeping a close eye on it lately. 

We been spending more $ on
eating more fruit

Can we still eat healthy and be on a budget?

1. The first thing to remember is do as much yourself as you have time for. You can get 4 times the amount of food when you buy dry beans versus canned beans. Each of these offer the same nutritional value. When looking for quick and easy dinner ideas, Microwaveable dinners or prepackaged dinners from your local grocery, even the so-called healthy ones, provide less bang for your buck and are not as delicious or nutritious as a home-cooked dinner. Prepare your dinners ahead of time and keep them in your freezer. You can do this on your own or go to a kitchen like Dream Dinners where the ingredients, planning, and clean up are all provided. Either way, making your own “prepacked dinners” will be healthier and usually cheaper too.

2. Buy fruits and vegetables in season. They are very inexpensive in season. You can shop at local farmers markets or grow your own and save even more money. Usually the more colorful the more nutritious, but remember to buy small amounts at a time, because produce that sits in your fridge too long will slowly lose nutritional value and eventually go bad and have to be thrown away - costing you more money in the long run.

3. Bake your own whole wheat bread. It is far less expensive and is packed with nutrients. If you don’t have time, then remember that frozen bread dough is less expensive than loaves of baked and sliced bread.

4. Put your money where your nutritious mouth is. Don’t buy chips, candy, and other snack foods that not only add to your grocery bill but also your waistline.
So although studies show that eating healthy costs more per calorie I think that when you eat healthy you are eating fewer calories, thus you can still eat healthy on a tight budget. I know with Dream Dinners in my freezer I am always ready for dinner so I spend less on last minute trips to the grocery store. So by planning ahead and watching your food waste you can still eat healthy and stay within the average daily spending.