2008 Woodie Awards
Eating Healthy on a Budget
Brittany Bybee
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Lifestyle
We all have good intentions of eating healthy, the reason it does not always happen depends on the individual but for many college students a common excuse is that it is just too expensive. A general thought is that it is just not worth it to fork out a little extra for something healthy, especially when the unhealthy tastes better anyway.For others, time is more of an issue, and when pulling late nights and early mornings, convenience is the top priority. Pizza and poptarts may seem the only options. Just in time for swimsuit season comes the answer to all grocery shipping, diet, time and budgeting problems.
The more variety on your plate, the better, think lots of colors- oranges, green beans, and strawberries are all low-fat, high-fiber foods and therefore excellent choices.
To stay on budget, first off, keep eating out to minimum. Treat it as a reward for finishing a project or doing well on an exam. Spending just $5 on lunch each day can add up to $1,200 in a year.
Try to plan meals in advance and go to the store with a list and every intention of sticking to it. Once you are in the store, shop the perimeter first. Around the outside you will find the essentials for a healthy diet- fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein. By the time you get to the junk food aisles in the center your cart will be looking pretty full, discouraging you from continuing to add more.
When skimming the aisles look at the very top and very bottom shelves. Many times stores will place generic brands there and the more expensive brands conveniently at eye-level.
When it comes to buying produce there are right and wrong ways to cut corners and save a few bucks. It is always cheaper to buy items by the bag not individually. If you can buy the whole bag without items spoiling always opt for that.
Canned and frozen produce is a good option as well and they are usually just as nutritious as fresh fruits and vegetables. When buying canned, however, be sure not to buy anything with added juice or sauce, these can add unwanted sodium and sugar to your meal.
The more variety on your plate, the better, think lots of colors- oranges, green beans, and strawberries are all low-fat, high-fiber foods and therefore excellent choices.
To stay on budget, first off, keep eating out to minimum. Treat it as a reward for finishing a project or doing well on an exam. Spending just $5 on lunch each day can add up to $1,200 in a year.
Try to plan meals in advance and go to the store with a list and every intention of sticking to it. Once you are in the store, shop the perimeter first. Around the outside you will find the essentials for a healthy diet- fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein. By the time you get to the junk food aisles in the center your cart will be looking pretty full, discouraging you from continuing to add more.
When skimming the aisles look at the very top and very bottom shelves. Many times stores will place generic brands there and the more expensive brands conveniently at eye-level.
When it comes to buying produce there are right and wrong ways to cut corners and save a few bucks. It is always cheaper to buy items by the bag not individually. If you can buy the whole bag without items spoiling always opt for that.
Canned and frozen produce is a good option as well and they are usually just as nutritious as fresh fruits and vegetables. When buying canned, however, be sure not to buy anything with added juice or sauce, these can add unwanted sodium and sugar to your meal.
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