by Manuel Villacorta

During these tough economic times, do not be lured to eating at fast foods and eating junk, which may initially seem cheap! Such foods waste money on empty calories and come with a heavy price on our health. Good, clean food, prepared with just a little time and a lot of love has always and will continue to see us through both the good and bad times.

Be careful where you invest your money. It may be safer to invest in your health!

Here are some tips to keep your health and spirits up and costs low.

• Eat out less. Prepare your meals at home and as our clients always tell us when following our program, “I am saving so much money because I’m eating at home!”
• Make things from scratch. Bring lunch to work and save your lunch money or save time by cooking large meals and freezing portions for the week.
• Eat plenty of local fruits and vegetables and shop at farmer’s markets. Local produce is often cheaper than produce traveling long distances and you are helping to build the local economy.
• Buy seasonal. It is cheaper and more nutritious to buy produce that is in season.  It is also very good for the environment as well.
• Eat whole grains. Whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa along with starchy vegetables like beans and legumes can go a very long way.
• Buy whole animals such as a whole chicken with skin and bones. Be sure to remove the skin to reduce saturated fat; throw the bones in a pot with water and make your own high-mineral chicken broth. Lastly, partition the chicken yourself because there’s no need to pay for butcher costs!

Read more useful tips in our previous post on Eating Healthy Will Save You Money.