10 Ways to Save Money and Eat Healthy

You may have read a gazillion articles on how to eat healthy and save money, and sadly enough you still are spending too much money on food. It is time to make a few simple changes. Most ideas sound really good and feasible, and you may have good intentions but you still follow the old habit of spending too much. One big rationale is that you don't want to economize on food and jeopardize good health.The reality is that economizing on food may create healthier eating habits.

There are some really simple tricks to eat optimally healthy and not shatter your food budget. You will have plenty to eat, enjoy tasty meals, feel good, save money and even cut down on your cooking time.

Lets talk about beans. There are many varieties of beans to choose from. Beans are cheap, high in protein and blessed with many vitamins and minerals. Many grocery stores offer a wide selection of beans in bulk, otherwise you can buy them in bags very reasonably priced.

To save on time and money I cook beans in batches and store in the freezer. I have small containers for the cooked beans for making dips or just adding to salads. I put a larger amount of the beans bigger containers for soups and stews. The beans are always at my finger tips for a meal and they defrost very quickly and ready to use. This method saves buying cans of beans, long cooking time on the stove and the benefit of having instant beans.

This is a double edged sword. it is important to buy in large quantity when making healthy selections in the grain, beans, whole grain breads, and other healthy non-perishable foods. Nuts and dried fruit also have a long shelf live so stock up for a healthy addition for meals and snacks. Another way of saving money and eating healthy.

Buy your favorite spices in large containers as it is much cheaper. Seasonings are the taste behind healthy eating. When you cook and prepare healthy fare that is tasty you will choose to stay in that zone.

Stews, casseroles and soups are great meal stretchers. You can fill the wit lots of vegetables. potatoes or grains. Soups are a great way to use up left over veggies. Most stews and soups freeze well. and before serving you can divide them into meal size portions in freezer containers. Serving lots of stews and other multi-ingredient dishes is a way to cut down on the amount of meat or chicken you use. A pound of beef, lamb or chicken will taste up the stew and provide enough protein for eight people.

The best healthy eating advice is to focus on products that don't require labels-- grains, produce, eggs and meat. You will save money alone on cutting back on prepared cereals, cookies, and other snack items--not to mention you will be eating well. Instead of cookies and cereal for snacks why not fresh fruit, veggies, nuts and peanut butter.

This suggestion is simple. Read the ads in the paper for sales of cleaning supplies, animal food, and fresh foods. Try not to be taken in when sugar cereal is ten boxes for $2.00 each. It is easy to get caught up in bargain foods while thinking you are saving money. Look for cans of tomato sauce, tuna fish and favorite condiments that often go on sale.

This idea may seem counterproductive especially when produce does not keep for a long time in the refrigerator. However vegetables and fruit like apples, pears, bananas, potatoes, carrots and onions keep for a longer period of time. Non fat milk will keep in a cold fridge for at least three weeks. Many dairy products and eggs will also keep for a long periods. This is one of the easiest and best ways to save money.

Buy white vinegar and baking soda for almost all of your cleaning needs.

Fill in shopping in between large shopping is good for perishable foods only. Take your list and follow it. You can add meat or chicken there are special deals.

Take one or two days a month to have a cook off. This is especially good if you buy chicken thighs on sale and have a huge quantity. Make your soups and stews and stir fry meals and package them to have for at least a weeks worth of meals. This is a really successful way of eating healthy and saving money.

Whether your have kids or there are just two of you or perhaps live along, the snack attack is often a daily happening. Having selections like cut up veggies, fresh fruit and nuts along with string cheese and cottage cheese makes for easy and satisfying snacks. The keyword is to have these snacks readily available. Remember if there are no chips, cookies, cake or candy in the house you will snack on what is there. And it is often a long ride to the grocery store.