Although we recently celebrated Earth Day, it shouldn’t be the only day of the year to exercise your earth friendly skills. If you’ve been creating greener habits and thinking about eco-friendly foods yet the current economy has found you also thinking about the green in your wallet fret not- here are 10 ways to save money on healthy food:
- Choose Organics Wisely: Organic ketchup or mustard isn’t really imperative, but splurging on eggs, milk, butter, cheese, and meat is. Toxins and chemicals accumulate in the fat stores of animals, then in the tissues of human who eat them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also warns that dioxins are of particular concern; as they are byproducts of pesticides and herbicides that can be carcinogenic.
- Remove the skin: If you do eat nonorganic meat, remove the skin and any visible fat. This will not only save you calories, but also reduce your exposure to carcinogens.
- Know the “Dirty Dozen”: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes a list of the 12 “dirtiest” foods, or those with the most pesticides, as well as the “Clean 15”. This can help you pick and choose which foods to buy organic.
- Eat Less Meat: Try to incorporate a few more vegetarian meals into your week. This cuts your risk for heart disease and also reduces your carbon footprint.
- Get Seasonably Savvy: Eating with the seasons saves you money, while getting produce at its peak of freshness. Check out Sustainable Table to find out what is in season in your area.
- Freeze seasonable produce: Stock up while your favorite produce while it is in season, then freeze for later use. To prevent spoilage of veggies, drop quickly in boiling water, drain well, then freeze.
- Don’t Boycott the Health food Store: It is a common misconception, but organic foods are often more expensive at a regular grocery store than at specialty stores. Also, many specialty stores have their own brands offering organics at a significantly lower price.
- Buy in Bulk: No, not the stores with 100 rolls of paper towels, but rather check the bulk section for staples like grains, flours, and beans – you can save a bundle and reduce environmental waste from less packaging.
- Grow Your Own: It doesn’t get greener than having your own garden. Even in apartments or smaller homes, you can still easily grow fresh herbs or veggies in pots. Check out Urban Organic Gardener for how to get started.
10. Prioritize: Although everyone’s first objection to eating healthier is the expense, take a look at the rest of your lifestyle to see where you spend too much elsewhere. If you make healthy eating a priority, you CAN make it happen within your budget
Tags: eating healthy on a budget, saving money on food, Urban Organic Gardener
