4 Budget-Friendly Health Foods for a Balanced Diet
By Genevieve Cunningham
One of the obstacles to eating healthy for a great many people is the price tag. The healthy food options tend to be a bit more expensive than some of the unhealthier options. However, most of the time this is simply due to inexperience in the world of healthy groceries. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet doesn’t actually have to be more expensive. You just have to know a few tricks of the trade. To help get you started on your healthy diet journey, check out these four budget-friendly health foods that are sure to add a healthy kick to any menu.
Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
A lot of people believe that fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive. In all honesty, they absolutely can be fairly expensive, but only if you buy the wrong kind. So, how do you know the right kind from the wrong kind? The key is to buy what is in season. In season, you might find strawberries for around a dollar a pound, while buying strawberries out of season might mean you pay somewhere near $5 per pound. Paying attention to what is in season can save you a bundle, but still keep your cupboards stocked with the best.
Oatmeal
Way too many people forget about this healthy food. Oatmeal is an excellent food to start your day with. It helps you feel fuller longer because of the fiber content, and it is also considered a complex carbohydrate which helps supply you with energy. To keep costs down and reap the most benefits, buy the old-fashioned oatmeal. Don’t reach for the flavored, pre-sweetened kind. The regular oats are healthier and cheaper, and can help you stay on a well-balanced diet.
Eggs
For a couple of dollars a dozen, eggs are an excellent choice for healthy eating. Eggs contain healthy fats, protein, and taste good too! You can cook them in multiple ways, eat them alone or in other dishes, and are just an all-around excellent choice. With the affordable price and ease of preparation, eggs can easily help you improve your diet right away.
Canned Chicken or Fish
It might not sound delicious on the surface, but canned chicken and canned fish can be great additions to your grocery list. These healthy sources of protein can be added to a salad, eaten in a sandwich, or eaten as the main course at lunch with some fresh vegetables. Choose chicken, tuna, or even salmon to change it up and keep your meals interesting and healthy at the same time.
Even though eating healthy can sometimes seem like a chore, it really doesn’t have to be. All you need is a few tips to help you get started and a plan to stick with it. Healthy eating is essential to a healthy body and mind,so use these tips to save your health and save your pocketbook for years to come.
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