Saturday, October 27, 2007

Saving Money AND Eating Healthy

It can be very difficult to maintain a healthy diet when living on limited funds. There are several things on can do to eat right while still maintaining a positive bank balance. Number one? A good multivitamin.

Multivitamins give our bodies what they need to function in a normal manner. It is best to obtain these nutrients from a well balanced diet but sometimes it is very difficult to afford the food that makes this happen. A multivitamin can cost you as little as 35 cents per day. I usually take one in the morning and one at night. Another great supplement is omega 3 and 6 and 9 capsules. They do all sorts of good things for your body like giving you healthier hair and skin as well as, when combined with exercise, promoting fat loss.

Number two..Try to cut back on meat consumption for 2-3 days of the week. Meat can be one of the most expensive grocery items and replacing it with another source of protein can save you quite a bit every month. I like to replace chicken breast or steak with a can of tuna. Tuna is very high in protein and isn't that disgusting if you add it to some homemade macaroni and cheese :) Other good sources of protein include almonds (which also contain omega fatty acids) and other nuts, eggs, and tofu.

Number three... STOP EATING OUT!! This one really should be number one as it is one of the biggest bank account drainers out there. I know it can be a huge hassle to prepare every single meal of the day but it can save you an incredible amount over the month. I love going out for dinner so one way I justify it is, for every time that I walk to town instead of driving my big truck I put aside $5. That usually adds up to a pretty nice meal for me and my girlfriend about once a month.