A Healthy Diet does Not have to Cost a Fortune

If you are like many others, you can bemoan the fact that his commitment to a healthy diet, increase your cash value is reduced. Several studies have shown that it costs less to live in processed foods, but not all the food. However, Dr. Adam M. Bernstein and his colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston recently to revise this conclusion. Their goal was to assess the healthy eating among women living in the United States of America values. Bernstein and his colleagues studied 78,191 women, food, participating in the Nurses' Health Study. They are used in food price data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess the cost of food and alternative nutritional index (AHEI), the cost ratio. Bernstein and colleagues conclude that plant foods (nuts, beans and whole grains) offer the best return on investment.

Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) created by Harvard University researchers. This raises a number of quantitative to qualitative food recommendations. Poultry, whole grains and fish have higher scores AHEI and processed meat and dairy fat have a lower score. High scores AHEI associated with reduced risk of chronic disease.

Bernstein and his researchers found that those who spent the most AHEI ninety cents of food a day average. However, when researchers study participants divided into five groups, depending on the amount spent, they found a wide range of scores between a groups of AHEI costs. In other words, can high AHEI and spend less. The researchers say that although a healthy diet was associated with an increase in costs, nutritional improvements can be made without spending more. This is achieved mainly on the basis of plant foods.

Although herbal products are actually cheaper, or there is a way to further reduce costs? Loni Garriga Indianapolis, Indiana, can feed a family of six in the $ 475/month, which is much less in August the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2010 "Cost" was the size of the family plan. It shares the following tips:

  • Purchase of raw materials and has been prepared and preservative-filled items. Soups and salads can be very cheap and more nutritious at home.
  • Buy all the food and use of each piece. Use the chicken bones and shells from all over the celery leaves, celery, broth that nourishes and thick stock.
  • Skip the Recycle Bin. Food does not provide any nutritional value is a waste of money.

Other tips to save money, a good diet include:

  •  Buy dried beans rather than canned. 
  • Get volume discounts are usually used for staples such as quinoa, beans and oats. Buy food with nutrition in mind. Do not look at cost per ounce or a pound ... Instead of looking at the expense of nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes are one of the most nutritious foods.
  • The output is the cheapest, if you bought the place and season. Keep to your local farmers market or even better ... grow your own. With home-grown produce, you can be sure your clean time. Herbs are generally very easy to grow at home, can often grow them in your kitchen window.
  • Joined together with others, and of the chicken coop. This allows for bulk buying easier and more enjoyable.
  • Reduce one-time items such as napkins and paper towels. Reusable items instead. Elimination of cleaning supplies. Instead of a cheap and non-toxic alternatives, such as vinegar and baking soda. This will free up more money for high-quality organic fruits and vegetables budget.

 Remember that food is an important contribution to their family's health. They are more about good food will save you in the long term health care costs.