Spring Break
Eating healthy without breaking your budget
Betsy Bosley
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Opinion
As a nutrition student, I give out a lot of advice about food.
Usually, the first thing that happens when I have just met a new person and they find out about my major, the conversation takes a sharp detour into huge "gun" building 101 and they ask me why I'm eating a sundae.
The common denominator of discussion with every college student or young professional I've encountered, however, has been about how they really don't have the money to eat healthfully.
Here is my rebuttal.
First of all, I would like to explain that my personal belief is that food should never be skimped upon.
Granted, I am a bit of a food snob and once got in trouble at my job for buying asparagus for the elementary school kids I cook for. Thankfully, the United States. has one of the most inexpensive food markets in the world.
Also, food is the sustenance that fuels our day-to-day activities and eating well is one of the best predictors of whether or not you will be able to skydive on your 97th birthday. You can't exactly say that about the collector's edition "Fast and the Furious" trilogy that you've been eyeing.
The bottom line is: Eating well does not have to be expensive. I would like to pass along a few tips that have allowed me to keep my body and bank account healthy.
Check out the weekly specials ads on your favorite grocery store's Web site before you shop.
Buy and cook in bulk if you have the space. You can make a big batch of chili on the weekends and eat on it all week or freeze some or share with the roomies. This can save an incredible amount of money and time.
Actually use the coupons you get with your receipts or in your newspaper.
Convenience foods (pre-made sandwiches, pre-cut vegetables) are more expensive than buying the ingredients and making these items yourself.
The fewer ingredients in an item, the more you should buy it in a generic brand. For example, I think you definitely notice the difference between expensive and generic ice cream, but who can taste the price difference between two different brands of sugar?
Usually, the first thing that happens when I have just met a new person and they find out about my major, the conversation takes a sharp detour into huge "gun" building 101 and they ask me why I'm eating a sundae.
The common denominator of discussion with every college student or young professional I've encountered, however, has been about how they really don't have the money to eat healthfully.
Here is my rebuttal.
First of all, I would like to explain that my personal belief is that food should never be skimped upon.
Granted, I am a bit of a food snob and once got in trouble at my job for buying asparagus for the elementary school kids I cook for. Thankfully, the United States. has one of the most inexpensive food markets in the world.
Also, food is the sustenance that fuels our day-to-day activities and eating well is one of the best predictors of whether or not you will be able to skydive on your 97th birthday. You can't exactly say that about the collector's edition "Fast and the Furious" trilogy that you've been eyeing.
The bottom line is: Eating well does not have to be expensive. I would like to pass along a few tips that have allowed me to keep my body and bank account healthy.
Check out the weekly specials ads on your favorite grocery store's Web site before you shop.
Buy and cook in bulk if you have the space. You can make a big batch of chili on the weekends and eat on it all week or freeze some or share with the roomies. This can save an incredible amount of money and time.
Actually use the coupons you get with your receipts or in your newspaper.
Convenience foods (pre-made sandwiches, pre-cut vegetables) are more expensive than buying the ingredients and making these items yourself.
The fewer ingredients in an item, the more you should buy it in a generic brand. For example, I think you definitely notice the difference between expensive and generic ice cream, but who can taste the price difference between two different brands of sugar?
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