Hello Everybody,
Of course we should all eat healthy food, but some of it is not cheap. We need to know what are the cheapest healthy meals so that we can eat well without spending a lot of money. It is quite possible to have a good diet for the same or less money than junk food. Healthy does not have to be expensive but it does need planning. Here are a few suggestions.
Oats. This is said to reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol as well as being a good cheap breakfast. Scotsmen will eat porridge. But the rest of us can mix oats with low fat yoghurt and add grated apple or cinnamon for flavour if we prefer.
Wholegrain Pasta. The Italian way; part of the Mediterranean diet and many other healthy dishes. It is easy to cook, easy to store and cheap as well.
Whole wheat bread. Much better than white bread, the cost can vary but cheap loaves are available. Use for sandwiches, but don’t eat too many sandwiches.
Frozen vegetables. A good option if fresh vegetables are difficult to obtain. Frozen vegetables are healthy, but I would always prefer fresh produce if possible.
Fresh vegetables in season. Any vegetable in season should be cheaper. If your shop does not lower the price go somewhere else. It is possible to eat in season vegetables at most times of year. If you have the land grow your own, they will taste the best of all. But if you have a craving for carrots in March there is always the freezer to help out.
Fresh fruit in season. Eat fruit every day and buy it fresh in season. Out of season fruit can taste terrible and is not worth the money. In season fruit is cheap and good. Like vegetables grow your own if you have the space. If not, and you have access to the countryside, buy off stalls or at farm gates. There is usually a surplus at the right time and producers sell cheaply. You may even be able to pick your own in hedgerows. Not many fruit will freeze, but there are a few and it is worth freezing your own if you can.
Meat. Cheaper cuts of beef are available. Some are tougher than prime cuts and need greater skill from the chef. If you cannot afford grass fed produce do not eat a lot of beef. Chicken is much cheaper. Free range is the best. This is more expensive than battery produced chicken but it tastes better and is still cheaper than beef.
Fish. Fish can be a cheap meal. Any fish is good. Oily fish like mackerel is better. Don’t eat tuna – it would be a pity if our grand children never see tuna because we destroyed the species by over fishing.
There are many ways of eating healthy food without financial ruin. It does take a little more time and organisation than just picking up junk food from the superstore. You must decide if a healthier lifestyle is worth the effort – it will not take long to see if eating the cheapest healthy meals is costing you extra money. If you are spending the same or less than eating junk food it has to be a good idea to carry on with your healthy lifestyle.
See you soon,
Peter Stockwell
Cambridge UK
2 October 2011
Photo. Biphop (Flickr)
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