Resolve to Eat Better and Save Money

Have you resolved to clean up your diet for better health? Well, you’re not alone, and like most new healthy diet devotees out there, there’s no reason you can’t reach your goals. Sure, there will be challenges: sacrificing certain treats, modifying your approach to meals and simply finding the time and energy to sustain a wholesome diet can test your committment. But another common reason to ditch a healthy diet plan is the cost — fresh food can be expensive, especially the organic ingredients that will bring the greatest benefit.

If we are what we eat, it makes sense to eat the best things we can for the best possible body. Simply put, those are whole foods that pack a big nutritional punch; more specifically, whole foods that are perfectly ripe, grown naturally and transported with minimal time and effort are what you’re after. This means you should do your best to make local, organic produce the main part of your diet, choosing from what’s in season where you live.

Begin at your local farmer’s market, where you can meet the farmers and learn about their product. If you can build a relationship with a farmer, and arrange to pick up your food directly from their farm, you may be able to get a great deal. Alternatively, ask about buying in bulk for a discount; you can share the cost and the bounty with some friends and family to reap the rewards. Buying directly from the farmer cuts out the middle men, like distributors and the supermarkets that cover their costs by charging you more.

But why stop there? If you want to eliminate all extra costs, consider growing your own produce, either in a container garden or, if your yard allows, in garden beds. all you need is a basic understanding of  soil and plants, plus a few inexpensive tools to keep your garden healthy and strong. If you don’t have the space to grow your own crops, look for a cooperative farm in your city that rents out plots of land or earth for community members to use. Growing your own food gives you the best control over what goes into it, and is therefore your best bet for truly organic fare.

Of course, it can’t always be harvest time, and some places must suffer through a long, icy and infertile season each year. When eating local means eating your choice of beets, cabbage or carrots, get creative: try different combinations for tasty and healthful juices, experiment with herbs and spices to add some interest to soups and ask your local farmers about their favourite ways to prepare their produce. Seasonal ingredients aren’t only cheaper than off-season foods that have been shipped across the globe, they are much more nutritious and flavourful. Expand your creativity instead of your food budget, and you’ll likely gain a greener thumb, more respect for the planet and better culinary skills along with a healthier mind and leaner body.